Posted on: Tuesday, April 2, 2002

Exam ordered in threat to Big Island mayor

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — A man who threatened to cut off Mayor Harry Kim's head has been sent to the Hawai'i State Hospital in Kane'ohe for a month-long psychiatric examination.

Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura last week ordered that Roy Oshita, 58, undergo an examination by a panel of three specialists. He is to be returned to court May 1.

Oshita, who is being held in lieu of $55,000 bail, was arrested March 19 for terroristic threatening and a contempt-of-court charge. He is accused of making the threat in a Jan. 9, 2001, phone call.

In an earlier hearing, three neighbors testified that Oshita regularly threatened or cursed at them. A secretary at the county prosecutor's office said she had recorded several phone calls in which Oshita made threats.