One of North Kohala standoff suspects unfit for trial; the second deemed fit

KAILUA-KONA — A woman facing charges in connection with a standoff incident in Hawi has been deemed unfit to stand trial at this time.

Britany C. Wolf, 28, was determined to be a danger to herself and others and was committed to the custody of the Director of Health to be placed in an “appropriate institution for detention, care and treatment” during a Sept. 7 hearing before 3rd Circuit Court Judge Melvin Fujino.

Her next scheduled court appearance is Nov. 29.

Britany Wolf was indicted on Feb. 12 on two counts of first-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer in connection with the Jan. 22 standoff where she reportedly fired shots at law enforcement on Alaalae Road, in addition to 14 other charges.

Her husband, Lucas R. Wolf, was also included in the indictment, but not charged with attempted murder. He faces 15 charges.

The husband and wife have been appearing in court together up to this point. However, during the Sept. 7 hearing, Lucas Wolf was found fit to stand trial and a jury trial was scheduled for Dec. 11.

Lucas Wolf’s new attorney, James Biven, also sought to have his client released on his own recognizance or his bail reduced. Lucas Wolf’s bail has been maintained at $26,000 despite several requests to have it lowered.

Biven’s motion indicated Lucas Wolf would have had a place to live if released and will be employed. If not released on his own recognizance, Biven sought Lucas Wolf’s bail be reduced to $8,000.

“The defense submits that a reduction in bail to $8,000 would be a sufficient amount to assure defendant’s appearance at further court hearings and would be fair based on defendant’s ability to pay,” the motion states.

Deputy Prosecutor Sheri Lawson filed a motion in opposition to Biven’s request. From the verifiable information before the court, Lawson’s motion read, there has been no changed circumstance that would warrant a reduction of bail or bail status change to release on his own recognizance.

“The charges in this case are serious with respect to the defendant’s actions and firearms were involved,” Lawson’s motion states.

Fujino ultimately denied Lucas Wolf’s request.

The couple both face one count each of first-degree reckless endangering, first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree terroristic threatening, and three counts each of failure to register a firearm when mandatory and permits to acquire a firearm violations, according to the indictment.

In addition to those and the two first-degree attempted murder charges, Britany Wolf was indicted on one count each first-degree terroristic threatening, fourth-three degree criminal property damage and two counts first-degree reckless endangering, according to the indictment.

The charges stem from a Jan. 22 standoff on the 3500 block of Alaalae Road. Police say the couple exhibited aggressive behavior toward the property owner when he attempted to evict them, and allege Britany Wolf fired a single shot from a weapon. The 56-year-old property owner was not injured.

The department’s Special Response Team responded to the scene. As the incident continued, police say, Britany Wolf fired two additional gunshots, one of which struck the team’s armored vehicle.

Both have remained in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center since their arrest in January. Like Lucas Wolf, bail has remained unchanged for Britany Wolf at $303,000.