A 32-year-old homeless man who stabbed a married couple 4 1/2 months ago in a Hilo park pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of second-degree assault.
David Lester Bars faces a possible five-year prison term when he’s sentenced at 1 p.m. on Jan. 14 before Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara.
In return for Bars’ guilty plea, prosecutors reduced an attempted second-degree murder charge to second-degree assault. Bars’ court-appointed attorney, Stanton Oshiro, is free to argue for a probation sentence for his client, with jail time already served, during Bars’ sentencing.
Bars could have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of attempted murder.
Bars stabbed 27-year-old Myreon Nau-Fikes and his 24-year-old wife, Anastasha Nau-Fikes, both of Pahoa, shortly after midnight June 20 at Wailoa River State Recreation Area.
Myreon Nau-Fikes suffered a stab wound to his throat and was admitted to Hilo Medical Center in serious condition. His condition was upgraded to stable later in the day, and he was released from the hospital in time to testify against Bars in a preliminary hearing that was scheduled two days later but didn’t occur.
Anastasha Nau-Fikes was treated and released for a stab wound to the leg she suffered while interceding on her husband’s behalf.
When asked by Hara what happened, Bars read from a statement prepared by Oshiro.
“I recklessly caused substantial bodily injury to Myreon Nau-Fikes and Anastasha Nau-Fikes,” Bars said.
Deputy Prosecutor Joseph Lee told the judge the stabbing took place in a park pavilion after a verbal argument between Bars and Myreon Nau-Fikes turned physical.
Bars has no prior felony convictions in Hawaii, but was on misdemeanor probation for domestic abuse when the stabbings occurred.
Email John Burnett at jburnett @hawaiitribune-herald.com.