Man denies guilt in stabbing on McKinley High campus

The 21-year-old Kalihi man charged with stabbing another man on the steps of the administration building of McKinley High School earlier this month entered a plea of not guilty Monday morning at his Circuit Court arraignment.

Axery Thomas of Kukui Gardens is charged with second-degree attempted murder in the July 9 attack on Aka­pito Rafael. His Circuit Court trial is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 30. He is being held at Oahu Community Correctional Center in lieu of bail of $50,000.

Police said Rafael, 43, was stabbed in his back, left arm and right side of his chest. The suspect had been sitting next to Rafael on the steps of McKinley’s administration building on South King Street. A small knife was found at the scene, police said.

While being treated by paramedics, Rafael identified the suspect as the man who stabbed him, police said.