LIHUE — A 83-year-old defendant charged with attempted murder and negligent homicide in two separate cases chose to remain in his jail cell rather than attend a hearing in 5th Circuit Court. He also chose not to attend a similar
LIHUE — A 83-year-old defendant charged with attempted murder and negligent homicide in two separate cases chose to remain in his jail cell rather than attend a hearing in 5th Circuit Court.
He also chose not to attend a similar hearing on Feb. 6.
Robert W. Yount is charged with possession of firearms and firing one shot while threatening Kauai police officers as they attempted to deliver a felony warrant to his Kalaheo home on Nov. 18, 2013. The warrant was for a first-degree negligent homicide charge after his SUV struck 26-year-old Jill Garnett as she walked along Kaumualii Highway in Puhi on March 16, 2013. She died from her injuries.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano waived the presence of the defendant after a deputy sheriff confirmed that it was the voluntary choice of the defendant to remain at Kauai Community Correctional Center.
The criminal proceedings are suspended pending the outcome of fitness for trial reports. At the previous hearing, the court ordered the earliest reports that began in district court over a year ago be compiled into the new evaluation.
Yount has been held without bail in both cases as the state recommended.
