Mental exam ordered in Kalihi fire, murder case

A 58-year-old man accused of murder and arson in connection with a fire at a tenement house in Kalihi Valley suffered a psychotic event after running out of his antipsychotic medication, the man’s lawyer said Friday.

Daniel Manuel is charged with first-degree arson and second-degree murder in connection with a two-alarm fire at a multistructure property Jan. 9.

Honolulu District Judge James McWhinnie was scheduled to preside over a preliminary hearing Friday and decide whether Manuel should stand trial on the charges. Instead, at defense lawyer Walter Rodby’s request and with the concurrence of the prosecutor, McWhinnie ordered Manuel to undergo a mental evaluation to determine whether he is fit enough to face prosecution.

“He has a lifelong history of mental issues that are not induced by substance abuse. He’s never been in trouble before. And it sounds as if his prescription lapsed and he ran out of medication,” Rodby said.

Honolulu firefighters responding to an alarm at 2934 Kalihi St. found the body of a man in the living room of one of the structures after getting the flames under control.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner has yet to release the identity of the victim or his cause of death because it has been unable to reach the victim’s next of kin.

The property manager said Manuel shared a room with another man next to the victim’s bedroom.

Police said Manuel used cooking oil and a lighter to set two fires on the property. They said Manuel set a pillow on fire, which his roommate quickly put out, then started another fire at their bedroom door and fled. A witness and firefighters detained Manuel until police arrived.