A 29-year-old man accused of brutally attacking his elderly parents with a hammer in their Waikiki apartment is set for a rapid trial next week, with his defense team mounting an insanity plea alongside claims of self-defense and reasonable doubt.
London Opendack will face trial the week of August 18 for the attempted murder of both his parents, according to Honolulu Star-Advertiser. His deputy public defender Voltaire Gansit plans to use insanity as one of three defenses, alongside reasonable doubt and self-defense, according to a pretrial memorandum filed Monday. The 29-year-old allegedly struck his father, 77, and mother, 64, multiple times with a hammer, seriously injuring them on June 8 following an argument at their Waikiki apartment.
The Attack at Moana Vista
The violent incident occurred at the Moana Vista Apartments on Ala Moana Boulevard at around 4 p.m. on June 8, as reported by Hawaii News Now. Court documents reveal that Laurel Opendack told police her son tried to kill her by hitting her in the back of the head numerous times, and attempted to gouge out her eyes, bite off her nose and bite her right arm.
His father, Byron Opendack, told police he was unsure why his son tried to attack his mother, according to the Star-Advertiser. Police said the couple suffered injuries to their heads, faces, and hands. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services took the couple to the hospital in serious condition.
Police arrested the 29-year-old near the Walmart on Keeaumoku Street within a few hours of the 911 call made by his mother, as detailed by Honolulu Star-Advertiser. He was seen with blood on his clothing and his property when arrested for Attempted Murder in the First Degree and two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree.
Legal Stakes and Strategy
If convicted of the crimes, Opendack faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole because of the first-degree attempted murder charge, which is lodged against him because of multiple second-degree attempted murder charges. The state also is seeking extended sentencing because his victims were age 60 or older, and because it alleges he is a multiple offender.
The memorandum shows there is no pending plea negotiation, and a definite trial date was requested, according to Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The state intends to call between five and 30 witnesses, while the defense expects to call five to 15 witnesses. Opendack is being held without bail at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.
Troubling Pattern of Behavior
Court records indicate a history of possible psychological problems, as noted by Honolulu Star-Advertiser. In August 2021, Opendack went missing in Hilo for several weeks before he was found by police.
According to a January 11, 2022, petition for a temporary restraining order, Opendack's ex-girlfriend in Hilo alleged he moved there from Honolulu to stalk and harass her. The woman wrote that she feared Opendack suffered from "strange and inappropriate behavior" and that his "erratic speech" indicates that he is suffering from a "severe psychological disorder like schizophrenia."
Opendack was cited in 2022 for fighting, threatening or engaging in violent or tumultuous behavior, and injuring a man in Puna, but the case was dismissed after he was found unfit to proceed to trial. Also in 2022 he was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor theft and criminal property damage after he allegedly had an outburst at a Starbucks in Hilo, but the case was dismissed due to his inability to face the charges, according to a doctor.
The upcoming trial promises to examine not only the facts of this particular attack but also raise deeper questions about mental health intervention and family violence prevention in Hawaii's communities.
