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Judge OKs psychiatric evaluation for Mathewson
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Posted on Apr 30 2015
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho granted yesterday the request of assistant public defender Michael Sato to appoint a psychiatrist who will examine his client, William Kapono Mathewson, a 36-year-old man charged with beating and stabbing Dr. François Claassens with a fishing spear in the neck.
Camacho approved a $1,500 cap for the expense.
Assistant attorney general Barbara Cepeda, counsel for the government, did not oppose Sato’s request.
William Kapono Mathewson walks with a court marshal on the way to the courtroom of Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho for a hearing yesterday afternoon on his counsel’s request to appoint a psychiatrist to examine him. Mathewson is facing charges for beating and stabbing Dr. Francois Claassens with a fishing spear in the neck. (Ferdie de la Torre)
The judge suggested using Skype for at least the initial evaluation to save time and expenses.
Camacho set a status conference for June 10 at 9am.
In asking for the appointment of a psychiatrist, Sato disclosed that Mathewson will rely on the defense of insanity at the time when he committed the alleged crime.
Sato said a psychiatrist is needed to determine whether his client was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the offense.
Mathewson, a farmer/fisherman, allegedly stabbed the 60-year-old Claassens in the neck with a fishing spear and clubbed him on the head with a big pot and chain.
The brutal attack happened in the backyard of the doctor’s house in Teneto Village on Rota last April 4. Mathewson’s house is located near the doctor’s residence.
Claassens is now slowly recovering from his injuries. There are plans to move him to Hawaii for further rehabilitation. Mathewson’s family is in Hawaii.
