A 39-year-old man allegedly attacked and stabbed two men and a woman early Sunday morning in Moiliili because he was upset that their conversation was keeping his wife awake, according to court documents.
Michael Ford was charged with one count of second-degree attempted murder; one count of first-degree assault for allegedly slashing one of the victims on the arm; and one count of attempted first-degree assault because he allegedly slashed another victim but did not inflict a serious wound.
Ford remains in custody, unable to post bail of $250,000.
His District Court preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
According to a police affidavit, a group of men and women were talking on a South Beretania Street corner after leaving a bar a block away. The Fords’ Beretania Street apartment was about a half-block away.
By one account, according to the affidavit, Ford approached the group about 1 a.m. and said, "Why are you guys making so much noise? My wife has to work tomorrow."
Another witness told police that he and his friends were talking at South Beretania Street and Poha Lane when Ford came from behind and said, "Shut the f— up. My wife is trying to sleep."
The witness said two other people in the group left to catch a cab at Isenberg Street, and Ford followed the rest of the group on Beretania.
In front of the Kalihi Pet Clinic at 2203 S. Beretania St., Brent Asato told the suspect: "You need to calm down; we’re leaving," according to the affidavit.
The two got into a fight and Ford allegedly said: "I’ll cut you," pulling out a silver 4-inch knife from the rear pocket of his pants.
One of the victims, Jennifer Freeman, told police that Ford held the knife in his right hand and stabbed Asato in the back and then slashed her right triceps.
Asato, 25, suffered a 2-inch stab wound to his right rear shoulder, the most severe of the wounds, and was taken to the Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition.
Another victim, Raymond Hoptowit, 26, said he had apologized to Ford and was walking away when Ford slashed him on the head and chest, the affidavit said. Injuries to Freeman, 26, and Hoptowit were described by police as serious.
Men in the group jumped in and pinned the suspect to the sidewalk, taking away the knife.
Ford was arrested seven hours later at his apartment.
