Mental health evaluation continued for North Kohala standoff suspect

KEALAKEKUA — A woman facing charges in connection with a standoff incident in Hawi in January is currently being evaluated by doctors to determine her mental fitness and penal responsibility.

Britany C. Wolf, 28, was indicted on Feb. 12 on two counts first-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer in connection with the Jan. 22 incident off 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 a total of 15 charges.

On Thursday, the couple appeared before Judge Melvin Fujino in 3rd Circuit Court where the judge continued the hearing to July 3 because doctors reviewing Britany Wolf’s case requested more time.

Deputy Public Defender Wendy DeWeese, who represents Britany Wolf, told the court that one of the doctors reviewing her client’s mental fitness has asked to view the tape of when she was advised of her rights.

Because of the seriousness of the case, DeWeese said, the doctors wanted clarification of the charges.

DeWeese filed for a mental examination with the court on March 28. In the motion, it states counsel retained a medical doctor to evaluate Britany Wolf at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

“After interviewing Defendant for over four hours, speaking to her family members and reviewing her records at HCCC, Dr. Tisza is of the opinion that Defendant presently suffers from Delusional Disorder, Persecutory Type and Grandiose Type Rule Out – Other Specified Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorder with Delusional Symptoms in Partner or Individual with Delusional Disorder (former known as Shared Psychotic Disorder and also known as Folie a Deux in DSM-IVTR) and that she is not fit to proceed,” the motion states.

While doctors have been conducting their mental evaluation on Britany Wolf, Andrew Kennedy, counsel for Lucas Wolf, filed a motion to sever charges filed in the indictment that connect the couple. Kennedy has since withdrawn the motion.

“I filed to sever to keep my client’s case on track,” Kennedy said.

In his motion to withdraw, Kennedy states at this point, Lucas Wolf is willing to await the completion of the examination of Britany Wolf. The issue of severance can be evaluated and acted upon should Britany Wolf ultimately be found unfit to stand trial.

On Thursday, Lucas Wolf waived his speedy trial rights.

“I’d like to stand with my wife,” he said.

The couple both face one count each first-degree reckless endangering, first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree terroristic threatening, and three counts each 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.

Both remain in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center. Bail remains unchanged with Lucas Wolf’s set at $26,000 and Britany Wolf at $303,000.

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.