Trial begins for man accused in Koko Crater trail attacks
• Man acquitted by reason of insanity in Koko Crater trail attacks
Advertiser Staff
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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.