Posted on: Friday, January 10, 2003

Ex-boyfriend guilty in fatal stabbing of Kahala woman

Advertiser Staff

Circuit Judge Richard Perkins yesterday convicted a 33-year-old O'ahu man of murder and burglary charges in the fatal stabbing of his former girlfriend in her Kahala townhouse in March 2001.

Perkins rejected the defense claim that Henry Lagmay stabbed Isabelle Yim-Mortier, 38, in self-defense.

Defense attorney Myles Breiner had said Lagmay went to Yim-Mortier's home in March 2001, because he believed his ex-girlfriend was psychologically and physically abusing her son, Etienne Kaala Yim, then 8.

Breiner said it was true that Lagmay stabbed Yim-Mortier, but only after she came at him with a knife in each hand.

Deputy Prosecutor Glenn Kim said evidence in the case showed Lagmay went to Yim-Mortier's townhouse on Keanu Street and broke in through the kitchen door because he was upset that she had ended their relationship.

Lagmay will be sentenced March 14.