LIHUE — State House Reps. Karl Rhoads and Dee Morikawa recently sent letters to Kauai’s Family Court and Mahelona Medical Center requesting records about a patient who fatally stabbed a 68-year-old woman after he was released. Rhoads, a Democrat from
LIHUE — State House Reps. Karl Rhoads and Dee Morikawa recently sent letters to Kauai’s Family Court and Mahelona Medical Center requesting records about a patient who fatally stabbed a 68-year-old woman after he was released.
Rhoads, a Democrat from the 29th district on Oahu, said he and Morikawa, a Democrat from Kauai’s district 16 on the Westside, wanted to analyze the records to see if any changes needed to be made to family court proceedings.
“We wanted to get more details on when he was released,” Rhoads said. “The goal is to be sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Shendon Chandler-Taniguchi, a 21-year-old patient at Mahelona Medical Center, was released from family court after a court hearing on Dec. 1, 2011. A day after he was discharged, Chandler-Taniguchi stabbed his grandfather, Anthony Chandler, 83, and killed his neighbor Edita Padamada in Waimea Valley at 11 a.m.
Chandler-Taniguchi also attacked two neighbors.
Police attempted to stop Chandler-Taniguchi, who ignored the officer’s warnings and continued his attack, according to Kauai County reports. Chandler-Taniguchi then turned on the officer and was fatally shot when he attempted to flee the scene.
Rhoads said he and Morikawa wanted to review records pertaining to patient Chandler-Taniguchi leading up to his release and the immediate aftermath.
The court case is sealed and was unavailable for viewing by TGI Wednesday. Morikawa couldn’t be reached for comment.
Rhoads and Morikawa sent the letters to District Judge Edmund Acoba and Peter Klune, Hawaii Health Systems Corp., Kauai region CEO, which oversees Mahelona Medical Center.
Rhoads and Murikawa asked for the records before Aug. 9 so they have time to review them before the legislative session begins in January.
