WAILUKU - A man arrested last year after reports that he threatened and abused his fiancee was given credit for 30 days he spent in jail after pleading no contest to a reduced charge of harassment Monday.
Attorneys reached the plea agreement for Joshua Grover, 29, following reports by three psychiatrists or psychologists who examined him and determined that he couldn't appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions at the time of the offenses last March in Hana.
"The plea agreement was a fair resolution to this case in light of all the circumstances," said Deputy Prosecutor Kerry Glen.
Grover had been charged with kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening, felony abuse by strangulation, first-degree burglary, two counts of unauthorized entry into a dwelling and abuse.
During a preliminary hearing last year, his fiancee testified she called police and reported what happened after Grover was missing from the Molokini ward at Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he had been hospitalized.
Grover asked for a chance to keep the conviction off his record.
Deputy Public Defender Adriel Menor said Grover has no record in Hawaii.
Glen opposed the deferral request, saying the facts outlined by Grover's fiancee "were so serious."
Her hair was pulled, her head was slammed on the ground and lighter fluid was put in her hair, Glen said.
According to preliminary hearing testimony, Grover had started a fast before what happened and had also entered a neighbor's house and took off his clothes.
Glen said mental health authorities expressed some concern about simply having the charges dismissed.
"There was a concern that they weren't entirely certain what the triggering event was for what happened," Glen said. "Joshua needed perhaps some healthy food in him and perhaps the help of a doctor."
Court records show a bail bond for Grover's release from jail was posted in July.
Second Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza denied Grover's request for a chance to keep the conviction off his record.
