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CASES

State v. Wellman

Maui News submitted a memorandum supporting the unsealing of court-ordered mental competency reports filed in State v. Ashley Wellman, Cr. No. 2CPC-17-909.  In October 2016, Wellman drove in excess of 120 MPH through a busy intersection on Maui, striking other vehicles and killing two women.  The court ordered three experts to examine Wellman’s mental fitness.  Based on the court-ordered fitness reports, the court granted Wellman a Judgment of Acquittal by reason of physical or mental disease, disorder, or defect. Because the fitness reports were filed under seal, the court entered an order to show cause as to why the reports should or should not remain sealed.  The case was assigned to Judge Peter T. Cahill.  On October 11, 2018, Judge Cahill ordered disclosure of the mental competency reports with redactions.