Accused Killer of 7 Fit to Stand Trial

A copier repairman accused of killing seven of his Xerox Corp. co-workers last November is mentally fit to stand trial, a state judge ruled in Honolulu. Judge Michael Town ruled after both prosecutors and defense attorneys stipulated that 40-year-old Byran Uyesugi was mentally competent for the case to proceed toward a May 15 trial date. Town also granted a defense motion sealing parts of a report by a court-appointed panel of doctors that examined Uyesugi to determine if he’s competent to assist in his own defense. Both sides argued that making certain parts of the report public could prejudice Uyesugi’s right to a fair trial.