A student who was acquitted by reason of insanity of attempted murder involving an attack on two hikers will be escorted to and from his classes at Windward Community College.  

 The college and Hawaii State Hospital reached the decision after a Circuit Court judge recently granted Benjamin Davis to attend classes unsupervised. He is registered to take English classes twice a week. 

In February 2009, Davis attacked two hikers on Koko Crater. One of the two hikers, Nicholas Iwamoto, was repeatedly stabbed by Davis and thrown from the crater rim. He suffered a broken neck and skull fracture. 

Davis was ordered under the custody of the state hospital to receive treatment for schizophrenia.

On Aug. 7, Circuit Judge Richard Perkins granted Davis’s request to attend classes unsupervised which sparked public concern, prompting Chancellor Douglas Dykstra to meet with state hospital administrator to discuss security issues, according to a statement by Dykstra. 

“In light of the unprecedented public concern, the two administrators agreed that the student will be escorted to, from and during class sessions. Moreover, the college will be adding personnel to its security staff,” said Dykstra.