A 61-year-old Kailua-Kona man accused of stabbing his wife pleaded not guilty Friday to charges related to the May 30 incident at the couple’s Pualani Estates home.
Ikhyun Chang is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree terroristic threatening and felony abuse of a family or household member in connection with the incident that sent his 52-year-old wife to the hospital.
At the arraignment and plea hearing, Chang’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender James Greenberg argued for supervised release noting his client’s age and lack of prior convictions.
“He is way over-charged,” said Greenberg. “The pastors from his church are here to support him. He doesn’t belong in jail. This is the first time he has been in jail and it has scared him. The pastors can take care of him.”
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray argued Chang is a flight risk with contacts in Korea and Vietnam.
Kona Circuit Court Judge Melvin Fujino maintained bail at $54,000 and set a jury trial date for Sept. 22.
In a June 3 preliminary hearing, the alleged victim told the court through a Vietnamese interpreter that while she and a friend were repairing the floors of the home she shares with her husband, Chang asked her for a divorce and $20,000. When she said no, Chang placed his hands around her throat.
“He squeezed my throat and said ‘I want to kill you,’” the victim recounted.
At that time, the victim testified, she was able to push Chang away, but he grabbed a carpet knife, pushed her against the wall and stabbed her twice. She said she could feel blood drip down her neck as she yelled for help.
Her friend came to her aid, taking the knife away from Chang before police arrived, she said.
A second-degree attempted murder conviction carries up to a life sentence.
Chang remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
