LIHU‘E — A 72-hour hold at the State Hospital was extended for a man acquitted of crimes due to mental illness. In a Wednesday teleconference, 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe heard discussion involving Freedom Honor Bright Harmony, currently being held
LIHU‘E — A 72-hour hold at the State Hospital was extended for a man acquitted of crimes due to mental illness.
In a Wednesday teleconference, 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe heard discussion involving Freedom Honor Bright Harmony, currently being held under the care of the Hawai‘i State Hospital.
Harmony, 30, of Lihu‘e, was arrested June 8 for third-degree promotion of detrimental drugs, a violation of the terms of conditional release related to seven 2002 cases.
The charges included first-degree criminal trespass, first-degree terroristic threat, third-degree assault, third-degree criminal property damage, attempted unauthorized entry, third-degree theft and resisting arrest.
Harmony was acquitted of charges on Sept. 17, after a court-ordered tri-panel of physicians found he suffered from serious mental disorders.
In the teleconference, Dr. Aubrey Pat Chambers, treating physician and psychiatrist at the Hawai‘i State Hospital, along with Harmony’s social worker Colleen Nakamura, said his condition is serious.
Chambers said Harmony is having difficulties with disorganized thinking, speaking rapidly, and is hallucinating and delusional. After heavy sedation the evening before, she said this may have been a factor in his refusal to take part in the morning teleconference.
Chambers suggested the 72 hour hold be continued with a status hearing in 30 days.
Deputy Public Defender Stephanie Sato objected on Harmony’s behalf, noting that the time has expired for the 72 hour hold ordered by 5th Circuit Chief Judge Randal Valenciano on Nov. 18. She also noted Harmony was outside of the court’s jurisdiction and requested his release.
County Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Samuel Jajich noted Sato’s objection but concurred with Dr. Chambers, adding that testimony and the actions of Harmony shows he is a danger to himself and the community.
Judge Kathleen Watanabe concurred with medical opinion after hearing oral arguments. She continued the order keeping Harmony in place in the care of the Hawai‘i State Hospital until a status of conditional release teleconference hearing is held on Jan. 10.
Dr. Keith Claypoole of Kaua‘i Community Mental Health Center was present in court to explain the meeting with Harmony at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. He said Harmony did well with mood stabilizing drugs and that he would look for an appropriate residential facility for him to stay upon release from the State Hospital.
