LIHU‘E — Vicente Kotekapika Hilario, 24, was arraigned Tuesday morning in 5th Circuit Court on five charges stemming from the Dec. 17 fatal shooting of Aureo Arick Moore.
The state charged Hilario with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, retaliating against a witness, intimidating a witness and bribery of a witness.
His bail was set at $2 million. His trial is set to start the last week of April.
Hilario was arrested within hours of the shooting. He was at first just charged with second-degree murder and his bail was originally set at $100,000.
On Dec. 20, when Hilario was arraigned in 5th District Court, the Office of Prosecuting Attorney added a first-degree murder charge because the case involved the killing of a witness to a crime.
After a grand jury indicted Hilario on Jan. 19, the case was dismissed at district court and sent straight to circuit court. The bail was then reset at $2 million.
On Tuesday in circuit court, Judge Randal Valenciano ordered a revised bail study after a request from Hilario’s attorney, Keith Shigetomi of Honolulu. The circuit court re-appointed Shigetomi to defend Hilario.
History
At approximately 11 a.m., Dec. 17, Moore, 34, was shot from behind at close range several times in the middle of a public road near Anahola Beach Park, where families and children were enjoying a sunny day.
Angienora Crawford, also known as Pua Crawford, allegedly dropped off Moore at the crime scene, and was supposed to come back later to pick him up, according to Moore’s father.
Crawford was named a witness when the case was in district court, and will likely testify at circuit court.
David Kawaihalau-Manaku was arrested around the same time as Hilario. He was allegedly present when Moore was shot. Kawaihalau-Manaku was initially charged with second-degree murder. He was released pending investigation, and became a key witness in the district court case.
The district court had appointed Honolulu-based private attorneys to represent Crawford and Kawaihalau-Manaku, because their testimony could incriminate them. Both qualified for public defenders, but were awarded private attorneys due to possible conflicts of interest.
Guy Matsunaga represented Kawaihalau-Manaku, and Nelson Goo represented Crawford.
On Tuesday, Shigetomi asked Valenciano if the witnesses would retain their respective private attorneys, now that the case is in circuit court. Valenciano said the witnesses will have to first apply and qualify for a public defender, and only then will the court decide if they are eligible for a private attorney because of a conflict of interest.
Valenciano set the pre-trial for 2:30 p.m., March 31, and the trial for 8 a.m., April 25.
