HILO — An Ainaloa man accused of the fatal stabbing of his 14-year-old son and the near-fatal stabbing of his pregnant, estranged wife is fit to stand trial.

That was the conclusion of two psychiatrists and a psychologist in the case of 41-year-old Tyrone Vesperas.

"All three of the examiners are unanimous in their opinion that Mr. Vesperas is able to understand the proceedings against him, and is able to participate with his attorney in providing his defense in the case, and is fit to proceed," Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara said Monday.

Police say that Vesperas stabbed Cheryl-Lyn Vesperas repeatedly in the abdomen with a military-issue combat knife on July 11, 2007. He also allegedly stabbed his son, Tyran Vesperas-Saniatan, in the neck when the boy attempted to intervene.

The boy died at the scene; Cheryl Vesperas fled the house and was met near Keaau by an ambulance. Doctors couldn't save her unborn child, who was fathered by another man.

Vesperas has been in custody without bail since his arrest.

His attorney asked for two weeks to try to finalize a plea deal and a hearing has been scheduled for May 24.

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