WAILUKU >> A Maui man accused of slitting his estranged wife’s throat in a supermarket pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other charges Wednesday.
Stephen Schmidt killed 24-year-old Kehau Farias Schmidt while she was shopping at the Kehalani Foodland in 2016, authorities said. Police said Schmidt started an argument with a man who was with the victim. After a brief struggle with the man, police said, Schmidt stabbed his wife with a knife.
The Maui News reported that Schmidt also pleaded no contest to the attempted second-degree murder of James Reeves II and the first-degree assault of Scott Spencer “Kip” Stolsig. The two men were stabbed while trying to stop the attack.
Wailuku resident Alan Sevilla told the newspaper at the time the three victims were lying in a pool of blood between the cash registers.
As part of a plea deal, prosecutors will recommend Schmidt be sentenced to concurrent terms of life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 20.
Recreation areas to close for repairs starting Tuesday
KULA >> The Kula Forest Reserve, the Waipoli access road, the Kahikinui Forest Reserve-Papaanui Tract and the Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area will be closed starting Tuesday until Nov. 2 for road repairs and other upgrades, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Forest or park permits for Polipoli Spring will be canceled and hiking, biking, camping and hunting in the areas will be affected by the closures.
The portion of the Waipoli access road closed between Tuesday and Sept. 24 is from the Alii Kula Lavender Farm gate entrance to the Skyline trailhead gate. The portion of the road closed between Sept. 25 to Nov. 2 is from the hunter check station to the Skyline trailhead gate; access to the Waiakoa loop trail will be allowed.
Closure dates and times are subject to change. For more information, contact the Maui Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 984-8100.
