WAILUKU - A judge ordered Wednesday that a 38-year-old man be evaluated for his mental fitness in connection with his arrest on charges including attempted murder in an attack on another man in a bathroom at Queen Ka'ahumanu Center last month.
Court proceedings against Thomas Abraham will be suspended while he undergoes mental fitness examinations by three psychiatrists or psychologists.
Abraham is charged with second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault and third-degree assault in what was described as a random and unprovoked attack at about 4:30 p.m. Oct. 12 in the bathroom near the food court at the shopping center.
A mall assistant security supervisor intervened as Abraham was straddling the other man and had his hands wrapped around the victim's neck.
Police said Abraham was homeless and had been on Maui for about two months before the attack.
Second Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo granted the request by Deputy Public Defender William "Pili" McGrath, representing Abraham, for the mental evaluations.
A Jan. 23 court date was set.
Abraham is being held at the Maui Community Correctional Center in lieu of $511,000 bail.
