A 33-year-old homeless man who stabbed a husband and wife about 7.5 months ago in a Hilo park was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison and ordered to pay restitution of more than $4,200 for the husband’s medical costs.
Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara told David Lester Bars he poses “a potential danger to the community” while sentencing Bars for two counts of second-degree assault. Bars pleaded guilty to the charges in November.
Bars originally was charged with attempted second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole, for the stabbing of 27-year-old Myreon Nau-Fikes shortly after midnight on June 20 at Wailoa State Recreation Area.
Nau-Fikes, who was stabbed in the neck, was admitted to Hilo Medical Center in serious condition and underwent surgery for his wound. According to documents, emergency room physician Dr. Judith Fitzgerald said his injury could have been fatal.
Nau-Fikes’ 24-year-old wife, Anastasha Nau-Fikes, was treated and released for a stab wound to the leg sustained while interceding on her husband’s behalf.