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Mental health tests ordered for suspect in stabbing

A state judge has ordered accused killer Tittleman Fauatea to undergo another set of mental health evaluations to determine whether or not he is mentally fit to stand trial for murder and is legally responsible for his actions in connection with the fatal stabbing of a Waianae High School teacher.

Three mental health examiners had previously found Fauatea, 27, mentally fit to stand trial for the Feb. 27, 2009 fatal stabbing of Asa Yamashita at Ewa Town Center. But his previous lawyer later said Fauatea stopped taking his medication for mental illness and was not cooperating in preparing for trial.

The prosecutor and at least one of the experts who had examined Fauatea suggested he was refusing to cooperate to avoid prosecution.

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