Ard asks to be moved

The Waimea man accused of murdering a retired physician and attempting to murder his own stepson wants to be transferred off-island for medical treatment and is seeking another attorney.

Raymond Earl Ard asked that he be moved to a medical unit at the ‘Oahu Community Correctional Center to be treated for copper poisoning. He informed Circuit Court Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe last week that he does not have confidence in the medical staff at the Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center.

Ard also asked Watanabe for another attorney. He pointed out that there is no animosity between himself and Deputy Public Defender John Calma. However, he said, “I need another attorney.” Watanabe told Ard that he does not have the right to select another attorney. In response, Ard said, for four months he has been trying to get medical help.

“I need better counsel and medical tests,” Ard said.

Watanabe ordered the KCCC staff to find out what medical treatment Ard needs. She will take a look at the results then determine if he will be moved to ‘Oahu pending trial.

Watanabe did not release Calma as Ard’s attorney. She set a hearing in two weeks to take up both issues again.

According to court records, Calma wrote that Ard was chemically poisoned before he was incarcerated.

Court records also show that Ard wrote a letter to Watanabe early last month. In the letter, Ard said that he accidentally poisoned himself, and he needs tests for the copper sulfate in his skin.

Ard is charged with the stabbing death of Jon Scott Kerns in the home Ard was renting from Kerns on Menehune Road in Waimea almost a year ago. He was also charged with attempting to murder his own stepson, Richard “Kai” Iwatate, who was 15 at the time.

Ard’s jury trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 27.

Cynthia Kaneshiro, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 256) or ckaneshiro@kauaipubco.com.