Doctors divided whether stabbing suspect fit to stand trial

Deputy Public Defender Ann Datta asks for a mental evaluation for Kaleianuenue Borero-Kaluna during her client's initial appearance May 1 in Kona District Court. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
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KEALAKEKUA — A trio of doctors is divided on whether a 19-year-old woman who allegedly stabbed two people — one fatally — at a Ka‘u park in April is fit to stand trial.

Three doctors submitted reports after conducting a mental exam of Kaleianuenue Borero-Kaluna, with one finding the Naalehu woman unfit to proceed and not criminally responsible. The other two deemed her fit to proceed, Borero-Kaluna’s public defender, Ann Datta, told Kona District Judge Margaret Masunaga during a hearing Wednesday.

Datta requested a contested hearing on the differing opinions, which Masunaga slated for July 17.

Borero-Kaluna is charged with second-degree murder and first- and second-degree attempted murder in connection with the April 26 incident at Whittington Beach Park.

She is accused of stabbing a 36-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman at the park. Both suffered multiple stab wounds. The woman, later identified as Marie Lyn Boyles, died at the scene.

According to a probable cause statement, the man suffered injuries to his shoulder, right rib/torso and right hip areas and was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment.

The man told police he and Boyles were attacked by his girlfriend, who was wielding a 6- to 8-inch fixed-blade knife, according to the document. Borero-Kaluna was later identified as the suspect.

Police said witnesses reported that after the stabbing, Borero-Kaluna left the scene with another individual in a red pickup. The truck, occupied by 69-year-old Robert Hayes, was located at Punaluu Beach Park later that afternoon. Hayes was also arrested, but released pending further investigation.

Borero-Kaluna turned herself in to police that evening. She remains at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.