LIHU‘E — The sub-plot of two former co-workers — the current county prosecuting attorney and a former county prosecuting attorney — duking it out in open court is just part of the intrigue in the case of former Kaua‘i Police
LIHU‘E — The sub-plot of two former co-workers — the current county prosecuting attorney and a former county prosecuting attorney — duking it out in open court is just part of the intrigue in the case of former Kaua‘i Police Department officer Joseph G. Bonachita.
Bonachita, 41, of Hanapepe, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to burglary, terroristic threatening and weapons charges in an incident allegedly involving the late Lauren Kagawa and Randolph Trey Parker, one of the co-creators of the Comedy Central animated show “South Park.”
Through his attorney, former county Prosecuting Attorney Michael Soong, Bonachita requested a jury trial and copies of documents current Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho is going to be relying on in part for her prosecution of Bonachita.
Iseri-Carvalho told Soong, now an attorney in private practice, that the discovery documents would be ready Tuesday afternoon.
While 5th Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano presided over Tuesday’s arraignment and plea, the case has been scheduled for 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe’s courtroom in early January with a pre-trial conference set for Dec. 16.
Bonachita allegedly broke into Parker’s Wailua home and threatened Parker and Kagawa with a knife, according to a grand jury indictment.
The alleged incident took place July 1, the same day Bonachita was arrested on a first-degree burglary charge for breaking into and remaining in Parker’s home, according to police arrest records and the indictment.
The same incident is referred to in the hand-written temporary restraining order document Kagawa filed against Bonachita, identifying him as an ex-boyfriend and Parker as a friend.
Bonachita remains free after posting $25,000 bail.
According to the indictment, Bonachita threatened by word or conduct both Parker and Kagawa with a knife, thereby committing the offense of first-degree terroristic threatening.
He is also charged in the grand jury indictment with two counts of illegally carrying either on his person or in his vehicle a concealed dangerous weapon, in this case a dirk, a dagger-like knife, according to the indictment.
Bonachita is also charged with possession of a firearm belonging to someone else without having a permit, and for keeping unloaded firearms other than pistols and revolvers in a place illegal to keep such items, a class C felony. He is also charged with the misdemeanor offense of having firearm ammunition in an unlawful place to keep such ammunition.
As part of Tuesday’s arraignment and plea, Valenciano ordered Bonachita to turn in to officials any weapons and ammunition he might own.
Kagawa was found dead in the driveway of her Ho‘okena subdivision duplex in Puhi the morning of Aug. 17. A toxicology report found the cause of death to be a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol. The KPD is continuing its investigation into the manner of death.
Bonachita has not been identified as either a suspect or person of interest in the ongoing investigation into her death.
Anyone with information on Kagawa’s whereabouts from late Sunday evening, Aug. 16, to early Monday morning, Aug. 17, is asked to contact KPD Detective Joe Adric, 241-1868, KPD dispatch, 241-1711, or Crime Stoppers, 241-1887.
• Paul C. Curtis, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com
