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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, February 25, 2010

Trial begins for man accused in Koko Crater trail attacks

 •  Man acquitted by reason of insanity in Koko Crater trail attacks


Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Benjamin Davis is charged with attempted first-degree murder in the stabbings of two hikers on the Koko Crater trail a year ago.

GREGORY YAMAMOTO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Opening arguments will be heard this afternoon in the trial of the man accused of stabbing two hikers on the Koko Crater trail a year ago.

Benjamin Davis of Kalihi is charged with attempted first-degree murder. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Davis, then 19, allegedly attacked hikers Nicholas Iwamoto and Guy Tanaka with a 4- to 5-inch knife on the stairs of the trail Feb. 1.
Police found Davis naked in a tree after searching the area for several hours.
Police said the attack was unprovoked and Davis’ friends said they were mystified by his alleged actions.
Iwamoto was stabbed 18 times and fell into a ravine. He suffered a broken neck, fractured skull, broken leg and lacerations to his liver and diaphragm. He was hospitalized for more than a month.
Tanaka, a visitor from California, was stabbed in the back.
Tanaka testified that he was at the top of the scenic trail talking to his wife on a cell phone when Davis approached him from behind and said, “You need to end the phone call right now.”
Tanaka said he ran when he saw a knife in Davis’ hand. He said he jumped down to the trail, then felt an impact on his back.
He said he didn’t know he had been stabbed until he encountered two hikers coming up the trail and warned them about a man with a knife.