Man Accused of Slaying at Supermarket Pleads Not Guilty

A man accused of killing his estranged wife during a stabbing at a local grocery store pleaded not guilty in Wailuku District Court today.

Murder suspect Stephen B. Schmidt, 45, entered a not guilty plea to all five counts before Second Circuit Court Judge Richard Bissen on Tuesday morning, May 10, 2016.  Schmidt faces one count of first degree murder, one count of attempted first degree murder, two counts of attempted second degree murder and one count of terroristic threatening.

The charges stem from an April 19, 2016 incident at the Kehalani Foodland in Wailuku in which 24-year-old Kehau Farias Schmidt had her throat slashed, and two men (James Reeves, 34, of Haʻikū and Scott Spencer “Kip” Stolsig, 53, of Wailuku) who tried to intervene were stabbed, according to police.  A third individual, David Ryan, 32, testified that he was shopping with Farias Schmidt when he was confronted by the suspect, who allegedly pulled out a knife.

During testimony at a preliminary hearing last week, a forensic pathologist said Farias Schmidt died of blood loss due to an injury inflicted by sharp force injury to her neck.

Schmidt entered the court in an orange Maui Community Correctional Facility jumpsuit.  It was a change from the last two court appearances in which he was wearing a protective padded garment.

Attorney for the defense, Samuel Mac Roberts said his client is seeking a “public and speedy trial.”

There was no request for a bail hearing and the case will proceed with a pre-trial conference on Thursday, June 23, 2016.

Stephen Schmidt. (5.10.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.

Stephen Schmit (left) speaks with his attorney Samuel MacRoberts (right) during his arraignment and plea proceedings in Wailuku District Court on Tuesday. (5.10.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.

Wailuku District Court (5.10.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.

Judge Richard Bissen. (5.10.16) Photo by Wendy Osher.