HONOLULU (KHON2) – Jurors in the Stephen Brown murder case have not yet decided whether he should be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. A hearing was held on Monday, January 23, to determine Brown’s fate.
The main question for the jury was whether Brown would be a danger to the community if released on parole. His attorney met with forensic psychiatrist Dr. Martin Blinder, who testified via Zoom that people who commit serious crimes are unlikely to re-offend.
Sign up to get the latest Hawaii morning news delivered to your inbox news 2 u
Blinder said, “People who commit this type of crime, for example, the crime of which Mr. Brown has been convicted, we never hear from them after they’re back in society, almost never.”
He says that Brown is less likely to re-offend because he has converted to Christianity.
โThis man, this is from his heart; And I think that’s the best vaccination we can give to a criminal, especially if they’ve committed a heinous crime,” Blinder said.
Under cross-examination, the prosecutor pointed to some of Blinder’s observations when he cross-examined Brown.
“Did you also write, ‘The person responsible for the death of the deceased is more mentally disturbed than I first appreciated,’ is that what you wrote?” Deputy Prosecutor Scott Bell asked.
“Yes,” said the Blinder.
In his closing argument, Bell also pointed to the evidence already presented at the trial.
“I remind you of the horrific nature of the crimes of which you found him guilty. The prosecution will not enumerate the details for you at this point as it did last week,” Bell said.
Get the news on the go with KHON 2Go, KHON’s Morning Podcast, every morning at 8am
As for Hailey Dandurand, who is also accused of murdering Telma Boinville, her trial is set for July.
