Mental exam ordered for alleged bank robber

A judge has ordered a mental examination on a 57-year-old man accused of the May 17 knifepoint robbery of First Hawaiian Bank’s Pahoa branch.

Anthony Gover refused to appear at what was supposed to be a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Hilo District Court. His attorney, Deputy Public Defender Jeffrey Ng, told Judge Michael Udovic Gover doesn’t want the mental examination and has requested new defense counsel.

Udovic granted Ng’s request and set a hearing for 1:30 p.m. June 27.

Gover remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $20,000 bail.