LIHU‘E — The Youthful Offender Act was granted for the second of four co-defendants to be sentenced for his role in the January Koloa Chevron robbery. Kalai Hans Vincente, 19, of Kapa‘a, was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday
LIHU‘E — The Youthful Offender Act was granted for the second of four co-defendants to be sentenced for his role in the January Koloa Chevron robbery.
Kalai Hans Vincente, 19, of Kapa‘a, was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday in 5th Circuit Court.
As part of a deal with prosecutors, Vincente pleaded guilty in July to an amended charge of second-degree robbery, reduced from an A-felony first-degree charge. Two other charges of attempted second-degree theft and third-degree assault were dismissed.
Vincente’s defense attorney, Gregory Meyers, said his client was eligible under the youthful offender statute due to his age and having no previous felonies.
Meyers told the court that Vincente is a teenager in the midst of a “transitional period.” While his Vincente’s actions were “stupid” and “not excusable,” he has taken responsibility for them, Meyers said.
“I acknowledge everything I did was wrong,” Vincente told Judge Kathleen Watanabe. “I don’t want to be the bad guy in this world.”
Vincente added that he is ready to move forward and has “a greater understanding about what life is all about.”
The four defendants, including Vincente, are being tried separately for the violent early-morning robbery that included theft and property damage. Vincente was charged with the additional charge of wielding a knife during the assault.
County Deputy Prosecutor Melinda Mendes argued against granting Vincente the youthful offender statute, saying that, in her opinion, he was “the most threatening” and the “most in your face” during the attack.
“He had no reason to be violent, but chose to be violent,” Mendes said about Vincente. “This individual has shown what he is capable of.”
During his July hearing, Vincente admitted to wielding a large knife and punching the store manager before pushing him into a counter.
Mendes attempted to show the court a surveillance video of the robbery to further detail Vincente’s role in the attack.
Watanabe ultimately denied the video request, saying that Vincente had already acknowledged his involvement.
Prior to sentencing, Watanabe told the court that she took many factors into consideration, including his remorse and the letters of support from Vincente’s family, which she said expressed “shock” and “disappointment.”
“I hope you fully understand and are ready for the consequences of your actions,” Watanabe told Vincente. “I hope that when you are done serving your time you turn your life around.”
In addition to the five-year sentence, Watanabe ordered Vincente to pay restitution in the amount of $450.09 to Lahaina Petroleum LLC.
Last week, co-defendant Josiah K. Kaluna, 18, of Koloa, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the robbery. Kaluna pleaded guilty to reduced second-degree robbery and fourth-degree criminal property damage on June 20.
Clarence Montgomery Ka-Ne II, 21, of Koloa, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree robbery on June 18. He was granted supervised release on Sept. 26, and his hearing on a request for deferred acceptance of his guilty plea is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2013.
Ka-Ne is scheduled to testify at the Dec. 3 trial of Mason Noah Saio, 20, of Kalaheo, the only defendant that did not accept a plea deal.
Saio faces charges of first-degree robbery, attempted second-degree theft and third-degree assault.
• Chris D’Angelo, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 241) or lifestyle@thegardenisland.com.
