Maui doctor found guilty of attempted manslaughter

A Maui physician, Dr. Stephen Miller, was convicted of attempted manslaughter in a Wailuku courtroom on Thursday, following a violent altercation with a neighbor that escalated into a stabbing. The jury deliberated for approximately eight hours before reaching their verdict, concluding that Dr. Miller's actions during the dispute constituted a reckless but not premeditated attempt to cause fatal harm. The conviction stems from an incident last November that shocked the tight-knit community of Haiku, where both men resided. The confrontation reportedly began over a long-standing property line dispute. According to trial testimony, the argument turned physical, and Dr. Miller, a 52-year-old family practitioner, retrieved a knife from his home. During the ensuing struggle, the 48-year-old neighbor, identified as Mark Jenkins, sustained a single, deep stab wound to the abdomen. Emergency responders transported Jenkins to Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery and survived after a lengthy hospitalization. The case has drawn significant local attention, raising questions about conflict resolution and professional conduct. Dr. Miller, who had no prior criminal record, was immediately suspended from practicing medicine by the Hawaii Medical Board following his arrest. Sentencing is scheduled for next month, where he faces a potential prison term of up to ten years. The conviction closes a chapter on an event that laid bare simmering tensions within a community better known for its tranquil, rural atmosphere.