LIHU‘E — The defendant in a domestic shooting incident a year ago in Koloa pleaded guilty to a reduced charge Thursday in 5th Circuit Court. Dominador Padua, 48, pleaded no contest to attempted first-degree assault, a class B felony that
LIHU‘E — The defendant in a domestic shooting incident a year ago in Koloa pleaded guilty to a reduced charge Thursday in 5th Circuit Court.
Dominador Padua, 48, pleaded no contest to attempted first-degree assault, a class B felony that carries a possible 10-year sentence and a $25,000 fine. There is a mandatory minimum five-year sentence for discharging a firearm in the course of a crime.
The charge was reduced from attempted murder of his former wife in their home on May 22, 2011. He allegedly shot his spouse through a closed door in her thigh with a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano presided over the case. He had granted a motion on April 17 to suppress Padua’s statements given to police without benefit of an interpreter.
Padua also pleaded no contest to misdemeanor firearms charges of acquiring a handgun without a permit, and improper storage of a handgun without regard to uncontrolled access by minors. The charges could each bring one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
A second-degree assault charge and two other firearms charges were dropped in the plea deal.
Defense attorney Craig De Costa represented Padua.
The state was represented by First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jake Delaplane.
Padua has been held at Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center since his arrest in lieu of $516,000 bail. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 23.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
