A state judge has followed the lead of a panel of three psychiatrists and ruled that a murder suspect is fit to proceed to trial.

Payton Rapozo is accused of fatally shooting Antonio Torres in Kapa'a in October.

Defense attorney Nelson Goo said two members of the panel believe the 22-year-old Rapozo didn't have the ability to understand his behavior at the time of the shooting. But the panel agreed he is mentally competent to stand trial.

Goo said he may pursue a temporary insanity defense.

The 43-year-old Torres had dated Rapozo's mother, and Torres had allegedly threatened her and other family members shortly before the shooting.

Torres is being held at Halawa Correctional Facility on O'ahu.