Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza Monday ordered a mental examination for a 33-year-old man charged with killing 24-year-old Malia Kahalewai, his longtime girlfriend and mother of their four children.

Martin Lavoie, charged with second-degree murder, asked for the examination to determine his fitness for trial. Lavoie’s trial was to start Monday but was continued.

A police detective said Lavoie had indicated he was reportedly diagnosed as bipolar and told him he had been institutionalized in Alaska.