Kauai man fit to stand trial in stabbing death of his mother, judge rules
KAUAI POLICE DEPARTMENT
Louis Elliot Landsman of Moloa’a, Kauai.
LIHUE >> A Kauai man accused of stabbing his mother to death while she was working at a bank has been declared fit for trial.
Louis Landsman has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Charlene Landsman, 69, in May, The Garden Island reported.
Defense Attorney Melinda Mendes had requested in June that her client undergo an examination to determine his capacity and fitness for legal proceedings.
The court granted the request, consulting three experts.
Judge Randall Valenciano ordered the trial for Landsman Tuesday after the court received the expert opinions.
“All agree Mr. Landsman is fit to proceed,” Valenciano said. “The disagreement on impairment is the issue.”
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Landsman, 49, attacked his mother with a large hunting-style knife while she was working at the First Hawaiian Bank in Lihue, police have said. He had visited the bank three times on May 17, according to prior witness testimony.
After the first visit, Charlene Landsman told co-workers to call police if her son came back, a witness told the court previously. Charlene Landsman had canceled the call request when he returned. The stabbing happened on the third visit.
A trial has been scheduled for early February. He’s being held on a $1 million bond.
