A 32-year-old man who stabbed three people in Hilo 4 1/2 years ago, critically injuring two, was granted conditional release from Hawaii State Hospital to a secure group home geared toward the mentally ill.
The ruling Wednesday by Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto paves the way for the hospital to release Varaha Mims to the State Operated Specialized Residential Services unit, which is on the Kaneohe, Oahu, campus of HSH, or other state-approved secure mental health group facility that provides the highest level of supervision.
Mims was acquitted in April by reason of insanity of two counts of attempted second-degree murder and a first-degree assault charge.
In a midnight rampage May 23, 2014, Mims stabbed Skylar Nelson, then 28, and Sarah Steinbrecher, then 27, outside Hilo Town Tavern. He then fled on foot to Wainaku and stabbed his former landlord, Raghunatha John Giuffre, then 49.
Nelson and Giuffre were hospitalized with critical injuries but since recovered. Steinbrecher was treated for her wounds and released.
Mims, who appeared during Wednesday’s hearing via teleconference from the state hospital, went through three rounds of mental examinations before Nakamoto acquitted him after a brief bench trial, based on the reports of psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Bisset and psychologists Dr. Marvin Acklin and Alex Lichton.
Acklin testified during a July 25 hearing that was part of the process leading to Wednesday’s decision.
“As I’m doing a conditional release evaluation, what’s in my mind is whether or not this behavior, this, destructive, self-destructive, harmful behavior can be attributed to a mental illness. … And is the mental illness treatable? And with a treatable mental illness, then we would say that the risk would be mitigated,” Acklin told the court at that time. “I came to the conclusion that his past misbehavior or illegal behavior was attributable to ongoing untreated bipolar disorder.”
Nakamoto ordered Mims to stay away from Hawaii Island without the court’s permission, and if Mims is allowed to be on the Big Island, he is ordered to stay 100 yards away from Hilo Town Tavern, Giuffre’s home and all three victims.
The order to stay away from the Big Island is subject to review at a later date.
In addition, Mims is not allowed to possess firearms, ammunition or other dangerous instruments, and to not consume alcohol or illicit or unprescribed drugs, including marijuana. He also is subject to court-ordered drug testing.
Mims will be required to undergo periodic court review of his conditional release status, and his first review hearing is set for Nov. 16.
“I think this is the best possible outcome for all concerned,” said Deputy Prosecutor Joseph Lee after the judge rendered his decision. “(Mims) is not being immediately released back into the community.”
Mims will remain in the state hospital until his acceptance into an approved facility.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.