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PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA/DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Janet Wakimura is charged with attempted murder of her 79-year-old mother. In her initial appearance this morning in Honolulu District Court, Wakimura stands behind her public defender, Jacquelyn Esser.
DENNIS ODA/DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Janet Wakimura waits in District Court in Honolulu this morning before her initial appearance before District Judge T. David Woo. Wakimura is charged with attempted second-degree murder for the stabbing of her mother.
PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA/DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Janet Wakimura listening to her public defender, Jacquelyn Esser during Wakimura's initial appearance in Honolulu District Court this morning. Wakimura is charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing of her mother.
A Kalihi woman who told police she tried to kill her 79-year-old mother as part of a suicide pact appeared in District Court this morning to face an attempted-murder charge.
Janet Wakimura, 48, is being held on $50,000 bail.
Her public defender said in court that Wakimura is not guilty, although today’s appearance did not involve a formal plea.
The diminutive Wakimura appeared nervous as District Judge T. David Woo scheduled a preliminary hearing for Monday.
Wakimura told police that she stabbed her mother, Yoshi, once in the neck with a kitchen knife on Sept. 29 as part of suicide pact with her.
A relative at this morning’s hearing said the victim is still in the hospital recovering from the injury.
Janet Wakimura lived with her mother and was her sole care provider.
She told a police officer that “she was tired of taking care of her mother and that she could no longer do it,” according to a police statement filed in court. “She further related that she and her mother had made an agreement that if one died, the other should die also,” the affidavit said.
Wakimura told the officer she stabbed her mother once in the chest and throat area, but could not carry through with stabbing herself and instead called for help, police said.
Officers had a difficult time talking to Yoshi Wakimura because her English is limited, the affidavit said.
Janet Wakimura also admitted to a social worker that she had stabbed her mother but could not finish a “suicide pact” the two had made, the affidavit said.
Janet Wakimura told a doctor that she was depressed. She was arrested yesterday morning as she was released from Queen’s, where she had been held in the psychiatric ward.
