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Hawaii News

Man fit for trial in kidnap attempt

Nelson Daranciang

The 22-year-old man accused of trying to kidnap a 5-year-old girl from a crowded Waipahu District Park has bipolar disorder and was discharged from Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health Center 12 days earlier, according to his medical and court records.

Anthony Davis is awaiting trial in Circuit Court in the attempted kidnapping. He remains in custody at Oahu Community Correctional Center, unable to post $50,000 bail.

Three court-appointed mental health examiners say Davis is mentally fit to stand trial. But they also say Davis is not responsible for his actions at the park on April 25 because of his disorder. They also note that Davis was suffering from the effects of drug abuse at the time.

The examiners’ reports provide Davis with the basis for an insanity defense.

But the prosecutor says he intends to take the case to trial because Davis contributed to his condition by abusing drugs.

Police said Davis grabbed the girl by the arm and tried to walk off with her. The girl cried out and sat on the ground until her brothers, ages 10 and 12, and 15-year-old sister were able to get her away.

Davis told his examiners he did not try to kidnap the girl. He said the girl followed him because she wanted the tennis ball she had given him.

He acknowledges a report from the park’s lifeguard that he saw Davis gesturing with his hands and talking to himself. He said he probably experienced a psychotic episode triggered by his use of methamphetamine and marijuana. But he said he was not under the influence of any drug at the park.

Davis reported experiencing his first psychotic episode when he was 16. That was when he was diagnosed as bipolar.

He was admitted to Kahi Mohala March 9-12 and April 8-13. When he was discharged, he said, he was referred to Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center for outpatient treatment but never followed up because he was homeless and not on medication. He said he also relapsed into abusing drugs.

 

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