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Currently Assigned - Murder / Attempted Murder
 Lincoln Phillips - (Domestic Violence Attempted Murder) - September 3, 2008, Defendant bludgeons 37-year-old wife, Tara Phillips with a claw hammer in their Ewa Beach home. Victim grievously injured and remains hospitalized in vegetative state. Pending trial February 2009.
Alapeti Tunoa - (Domestic Violence Murder) - January 16, 2008, Defendant brutally bludgeons ex-girlfriend, Janel Tupuola, to death with a shotgun on Maluniu Avenue in Kailua. Defendant also assaults elderly Good Samaritan neighbor, Robert Riddle, who came to her aid. This was the first case to be charged with Hawaii's 3-strikes sentencing enhancement. This murder carried out in a very public and brutal manner left the community stunned. Pending trial March 2009.
Matthew Higa - (Child Abuse Murder) - January 17, 2008, Defendant inexplicably throws 23-month-old Cyrus Belt off a pedestrian overpass onto the H-1 Freeway. Case generated massive public outcry and highlighted need for better information sharing between child protection and law-enforcement agencies. Pending fitness determination and trial.
Melchor Adviento - (Domestic Violence Murder) - November 28, 2007, Defendant stabs and kills his 44-year-old wife, Erlinda Adviento in their Kalihi home. Pending trial in April 2009.
Pulumata'ala Eli - (Child Abuse Attempted Murder) - October 24, 2007, during an argument with his girlfriend, Defendant throws and slams his 7-month-old infant daughter, Alice Eli, around the interior of his van. Child suffers massive brain injury, however, survives. She will have major lifelong deficits. Pending sentencing.
Victorino Barayuga - (Domestic Violence Murder) - Defendant stabs and kills his 63-year-old wife, Liwliwa Barayuga in their Kalihi home. Pending trial December 2008.
Jerrico Lindsey & 3 others - (Domestic Violence / Organized Crime Murder) - May 14, 2007, 27-year old, Benjamin Grajeda, a reputed drug dealer with Mexican street gang affiliations is publicly gunned down on Kaneohe Bay Drive. Pending trial.
Ted Jandura - (Domestic Violence Murder) - February 24, 2007, 83-year-old Defendant stabs and kills his 82-year-old wife, Ingaborg Jandura, in their Ilikai hotel room. Victim stabbed over 100 times. Pending fitness determination and trial.
Notable Prior Cases - Murder / Attempted Murder
Michael Schuette - (Domestic Violence Murder) - September 2007, Defendant suffocates his 49-year-old wife, Victoria Schuette, in the back yard of their Ewa Beach home. Defendant pled to Manslaughter and sentenced to a 20-year prison term in 2008.
Carol Weidman - (Family Violence Murder) - May 2007, 25-year-old Defendant inexplicably stabs and then strangles her 55-year-old mother, Lisa Weidman, in their Halawa home. Defendant had long history medical and mental health concerns. Defendant acquitted by reason of insanity at jury-waived trial in July 2008.
Kirk Lankford - (Japanese National Murder) - April 2007, Defendant abducts and kills Japanese national, Masumi Watanabe, and disposes of body. Assisted Prosecuting Attorney Peter Carlisle by preparing presentation of forensic DNA evidence at trial. Convicted and sentenced to LIFE imprisonment in July 2008.
Ronante Aquino - (Domestic Violence Murder) - July 2005, Defendant stabs and kills his 39-year-old girlfriend, Zenaida Dumaslan in their Pearl City home. The victim's invalid father and 5-year-old son were home during the killing. Pled guilty to Murder and sentenced to LIFE imprisonment in 2007.
Tan Lam - (Domestic Violence Murder) - June 2005, Defendant savagely bludgeons his 41-year-old wife, Melody Lam, to in their Kapahulu home. Their 5-year old son was sleeping at mother's feet during the murder. Defendant commits suicide on eve of trial in April 2008.
Anthony Na-O - (Domestic Violence Attempted Murder) - February 2004, Defendant stalks estranged girlfriend and stabs her 22 times with a screwdriver at Kuhio Elementary School. Jury convicted Defendant of lesser offense of Assault in the First Degree. Defendant sentenced to 10 year prison term in June 2005.
Derrick Smith - (Child Abuse Murder) - October 2003, a perfectly healthy 7-week old baby boy died while being babysat by his father, the Defendant. Defendant claimed that the baby had been injured accidentally due to an accidental fall. Jury rejected Defendant's claim at trial and found Defendant guilty of murder. Defendant sentenced to LIFE imprisonment in 2004.
Christopher Aki - (Child Abuse Murder) - December 2002, Defendant abducts and kills 11-year old Kahealani Indreginal. Body found dumped at Heiau State Park. Assisted Prosecuting Attorney Peter Carlisle by preparing presentation of forensic DNA evidence at trial. Convicted of Manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in 2004.
Tam Van Huynh (Sheraton Hotel Chef Murder) - (Workplace Violence Murder) - December 2000, Tom Matsuda who was the Executive Chef for the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel was stabbed to death in his office by a disgruntled employee. Defendant claimed insanity at trial. Defendant found guilty of Murder and was sentenced LIFE in prison in June 2002.
Delmar Edmond - (1975 Bustamante Murder) (Child Rape Murder) - March 14, 1975, two 13 year old girls, Dede Bustamante and Cherry Verdugo, were abducted at gunpoint by lone male. Suspect raped and killed one of the girls. The other manages to flee. Case remained unsolved for some 26 years. First "cold homicide" case where new evidence led to Defendant's arrest for Murder. While pending trial, additional DNA testing cast doubt on Defendant's guilt. State sought dismissal and Defendant's release from custody in September 2002.
Darren Yokotake - (Caretaker Murder) - 2001, after caring for his chronically disabled wife, Defendant "burns out" and simply stops caring for her. The 38-year old victim, dies after several months of gross neglect. Case was first to charge spouse with murder stemming from his failure to provide care. Defendant pled to Manslaughter and received a 10 year probation term.
Saturnino Millon - (Domestic Violence Murder) - March 2000, Defendant stabs and kills his wife, Erlinda Millon, in the Kalihi apartment they shared with their 6 children. Two of the youngest children were present during the murder. Defendant pled guilty to murder and received a LIFE sentence in 2001.
Carina Humphries - (Child Abuse Attempted Murder) - May 2000, Defendant arrives from Singapore with her adopted 2-year old son, Jarin Humphries. Child suffers massive brain injury which is inconsistent with Defendant's claim of accident. Local and national child abuse experts testified at trial. Before verdict, Defendant pled to felony assault.
Sabrina Fiaai (Domestic Violence Murder) - 1999 case where Defendant, a chronically battered woman, stabs and kills her abusive husband. Defendant pled to Manslaughter and received a 20 year prison term.
Peter Moses - (Police Officer Shot at Makapuu) - September 1998, Defendant resists arrest and shoots police officer near the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail area. Defendant also fired at another police officer before being subdued. Jury rejected the defense's claim of accident and convicted the Defendant. Appellate court reversed due to ineffective assistance of defense counsel. While pending re-trial, Defendant pled guilty to Attempted Murder and was sentenced to LIFE imprisonment.
Thomas Lange - (Attempted Murder) - January 1998, homeless Defendant while in a drunken rage stabs and nearly kills his friend. Victim completely recanted at trial. Jury acquitted.
Sauileao Mamea - (Murder) - 1997, 19-year old Defendant beats and kills his 72-year old Palolo Valley neighbor, Francis King, over drug dispute. Just before trial, State discovered and provided evidence favorable to defense. Jury convicted Defendant of lesser offense of Manslaughter. Defendant sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
William Mokepua - (Attempted Murder) - 1997, elderly Defendant, a newspaper delivery man, becomes fixated on female victim. When she does not return his advances, he drives by and shoots victim and female co-worker in parking lot of their Lagoon Drive business. Defendant falls ill on eve of trial. Case dismissed due to Defendant's poor health.
Wayne Choo - (Vehicular Homicide) - 1996, Defendant runs over and kills 2-year old boy on Liliha Street. Defendant flees the scene. DNA and other forensic evidence helped to circumstantially establish Defendant's guilt at trial.
Raita Fukusaku - (Japanese National Double Murder) - 1994 double homicide case involving the killing of a wealthy Japanese psychic, Kototome Fujita and her son, Goro Fujita. Defendant fled to Japan and unsuccessfully fought all efforts to return him to Honolulu to stand trial. This is believed to be one of the few cases where the Japanese government agreed to relinquish one of their citizens to another country for criminal prosecution. During the three month trial, the prosecution team called seventy (70) witnesses and introduced approximately 1300 exhibits to build its circumstantial case against the defendant. I was responsible for presenting all medical, physical and forensic evidence which included blood, fingerprints, ballistics, hairs, fibers, arson, DNA and forensic pathology. Defendant was convicted of two counts of Murder in the Second Degree and was sentenced to two consecutive terms of imprisonment for LIFE.
Ted Anderson - (Murder) - 1993 case involving the stabbing and near decapitation of male Laotian hair stylist. Case initially went unsolved for a couple of years until new evidence led to Defendant, an ex-marine, living in California. Defendant tried twice with second trial resulting in guilty verdict. Defendant sentenced to LIFE in prison.
Tuan Nguyen - (Domestic Violence Murder) - 1993 case where ex-boyfriend Defendant accuses ex-girlfriend of infidelity and then shoots family friend in Kalihi home. Murder witnessed by 10-year old child. Jury found Defendant guilty. Defendant received LIFE sentence.
Ross Alan Horton - (Murder) - 1993, Defendant beat his business partner to death at a job site, stuff his body into a job box and dumped it in Olomana area. Case went unsolved initially, however, when body discovered nearly 2 years later, other evidence implicated Defendant. Defendant located and arrested in California. Jury found Defendant guilty of murder. Defendant sentenced to LIFE in prison
Truman Tran (Manapua Vendor Murder) - 1990, Defendant shoots and kills rival manapua truck vendor at Mayor Wright Housing. Tried Defendant twice. First time, jury convicted of murder, however, Court granted new trial when new evidence discovered by defense. At second trial, Defendant found guilty of Manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Efren Renon & 3 others (Farrington High School Murder) - 1989, Defendants carry out brazen daylight shooting at Farrington High School targeting a rival gang member. Assisted Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro at trial.
Tony Souza - (Attempted Murder) - 1989, Defendant stabs teenaged victim in neck and then attempts to run him over with a car. Defendant convicted at trial and sentenced to LIFE imprisonment.
Sexual Assault
James Thompson (Mililani Serial Rapist Case) - January to September 1997, several high school girls were abducted in Mililani at knife point and driven to isolated locations where they were sexually assaulted by an unknown male. Defendant was charged with twenty-four (24) counts of sexual assault and kidnapping committed against six (6) different girls. The jury rejected the defense claims of mistaken identification and alibi and returned guilty verdicts. Defendant sentenced to LIFE imprisonment.
Mark Matson - August 1998, Defendant, a priest, sexually assaults a 13-year old boy at the Hawaii Kai boat ramp area. Jury found Defendant guilty. Defendant sentenced to 20 year prison term.
Michael Andrew Stephens - 1990, Defendant, a Honolulu realtor, sexually assaults a developmentally delayed teenaged boy in an empty downtown condominium unit. Defendant convicted at trial and sentenced to probation. While on probation, Defendant re-offends and is awaiting trial when he stages his death / disappearance at sea. Defendant flees to Mexico where he was recently captured after nearly 14 years on the run.
Matthew Ching - August 17, 2007, 28-year-old Defendant sexually assaults his 15-year-old neighbor. Defendant charged with 6 counts of felony sexual assault offenses. Pled guilty and sentenced in 2008.
Nestor Mabborang - Between 1999 and 2007, Defendant sexually assaults his step-daughter. Defendant charged with 26 counts of felony sexual assault offenses. Pled guilty and sentenced in 2008.
Norman McCormick - Over several years, Defendant sexually assaults his biological daughter. Daughter becomes pregnant and gives birth to her son / half-brother. Defendant pled guilty and sentenced to 10 years prison in 2007. |
