Trial for man involved in standoff set

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KEALAKEKUA — A Kapaau man accused of shooting at two police officers and his girlfriend 11 months ago will go on trial Oct. 11.

KEALAKEKUA — A Kapaau man accused of shooting at two police officers and his girlfriend 11 months ago will go on trial Oct. 11.

Macdon Donny Thromman, 37, was charged with 22 counts after allegedly engaging in a standoff with police in July 2015, which included firing on police officers, hitting one of them non-fatally in the right forearm, and threatening to blow the house up. Trhomman’s girlfriend also was shot in the right leg during the incident.

He was arrested after 20 hours.

Initially, Thromman was represented by deputy public defender Ann Datta. She was allowed to withdraw as counsel May 26, citing a breakdown in communications. His new attorney is Terri L. Fujioka-Lilley.

“We definitely request a continuance,” Fujioka-Lilley said during a court appearance Monday.

She said she will begin her own investigation, including site visits and speaking to witnesses.

Datta asked for a mental evaluation, and the three doctors involved filed their reports. Those files led Circuit Court Judge Ronald Ibarra to find Thromman was fit to proceed Jan. 22.

His physical health also has been a concern, as both defense attorneys said he is not receiving proper medical care at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

Datta said at an earlier hearing the lack of care led to Thromman being flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu for surgery in January, which left him spending a week in the Oahu Community Correctional Center.

Medical care remains a concern, Fujioka-Lilley said.

The case was repeatedly delayed by the fact that the court was unable to secure a qualified translator at several points. Thromman is a native of the Marshal Islands, who has lived in Hawaii about 20 years, according to police records.

Thromman faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of attempted second-degree murder, nine counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, one count of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, two firearms offenses and one count each of felony abuse of a family member, kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a minor and reckless endangering.

Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.