Stabbing, burn victims still in critical condition

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two women who were stabbed and seriously burned in a house fire Monday remained hospitalized in critical condition yesterday.

Kerry White, 48, and her 58-year-old sister-in-law were at White's home at 1214 Kainui Drive when they were stabbed Monday afternoon. The two also suffered burns over more than 50 percent of their bodies when they escaped a fire at the home.

The two women told ambulance personnel that a family member had set the fire during an argument and fled, leaving them in the burning home, police said.

Micah White, Kerry White's 20-year-old son, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder and one count of criminal property damage. He is being held at the police cellblock.

Homicide Lt. David Kamai yesterday declined to comment on possible motives in the case. He also would not comment on whether a 30-inch sword found in the burned home Tuesday was used to attack the women.

The fire destroyed the home and heavily damaged another Monday. Neighbors said they saw Kerry White on fire and running from the home.

Micah White was the subject of a manhunt Monday night and Tuesday before he called police and arranged his arrest. He was picked up at a scenic lookout on the Pali Highway.

Although the fire occurred Monday, the home remained a hazard zone yesterday as fire officials told police investigators to leave the area. Sam White, Kerry White's husband, works for a pool maintenance firm and chemicals were stored at the home.

"It rained and there were still some chemicals in the garage area that reacted with the water," said Kenison Tejada, fire department spokesman. Investigators left the burned-out shell of the home at about 7:30 a.m. and were not allowed to return until about 2 p.m., Tejada said.