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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, June 3, 2010

Murder suspect mentally fit to stand trial, judge rules

Advertiser Staff

A state judge has ruled an O'ahu man accused in a fatal stabbing is mentally fit to stand trial.

Sato Franklin Sigrah is charged with murder for the 2008 death of 27-year-old Lyola Mesebeluu. He also faces attempted-murder charges for the wounding her husband and their 2-year-old daughter.

The three were the victims of an apparent random attack in their McCully apartment. Authorities said Sigrah was legally drunk when he was arrested in the apartment.

Last year, another judge held the 20-year-old Sigrah was mentally unfit to stand trial.

The new ruling is based on a re-evaluation by a panel of court-appointed mental health examiners. They held that Sigrah understands the court proceedings and can assist his lawyer in his own defense.