Shooting suspect ruled fit to stand trial

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Douglas John Fathke, who is accused of shooting and killing his 8-year-old daughter in Ka'u earlier this year, has been ruled mentally fit and able to proceed with the criminal case against him.

FATHKE

He is also accused of attempted murder and terroristic threatening for allegedly attacking a 16-year-old boy who was staying at Becky's Bed & Breakfast in Na'alehu at the time of the shooting. Fathke ran the bed-and-breakfast from his home.

Deputy public defender Michael Ebesugawa told District Court Judge Matthew S.K. Pyun Jr. yesterday morning he would not contest the finding of a three-member panel of experts who interviewed Fathke to determine his mental state.

According to police reports, Fathke met officers who arrived at the house with his hands held out, and told officers to take him away. When asked what had happened, Fathke told officers he had shot his daughter, the police reports say.

No motive for the shooting has been publicly disclosed, but Fathke's ex-wife has said Fathke had a history of mental illness, and said he was once committed to a hospital for his strange behavior.

Former Judge Sandra Schutte Song ordered a mental examination of Fathke after he muttered in response to questions and rested his head on a courtroom table during an initial District Court appearance in April.

Pyun set a preliminary hearing date for Nov. 13.

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 935-3916.