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‘Mathewson to use insanity defense’
Defense wants psychiatrist appointed to examine Mathewson
Assistant public defender Michael Sato yesterday disclosed that his client, William Kapono Mathewson, the 36-year-old man charged with beating and stabbing Dr. François Claassens with a fishing spear in the neck, will rely upon the defense of insanity at the time when he committed the alleged crime.
In Mathewson’s motion for examination, Sato asked the Superior Court to appoint a psychiatrist as an expert witness, to conduct a psychiatric evaluation of the defendant and prepare a report.
Sato said a psychiatrist is needed to determine whether Mathewson was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the offense.
“Whenever a plea of not guilty by reason of mental illness, disease, or defect is entered or notice is given pursuant to the Commonwealth Rule of Criminal Procedure the court shall appoint at least one qualified psychiatrist or other mental health professional to examine the defendant and report upon his mental condition,” the defense lawyer said, citing law.
Sato said that since Mathewson has been found indigent, the law requires the government to pay for the appointed psychiatrist.
Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho will hear the motion for mental examination today, Wednesday, at 1:30pm.
The Office of the Attorney General charged Mathewson with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and battery, and assault with a dangerous weapon.
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. The doctor is now slowly recovering from the attack and there are plans to move him to Hawaii for further rehabilitation.
