LIHUE — A Waimea resident was sentenced to a year in jail after losing her probation on a domestic violence charge. Kira Justine Manguchei, 27, was arrested June 10 for revocation or modification of probation and criminal contempt of court
LIHUE — A Waimea resident was sentenced to a year in jail after losing her probation on a domestic violence charge.
Kira Justine Manguchei, 27, was arrested June 10 for revocation or modification of probation and criminal contempt of court charges. After several hearings, the court granted the prosecutor’s motion to revoke probation on Feb. 11.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said that the court provided multiple opportunities for the defendant to succeed with probation. He said the defendant’s choice not to participate is what resulted in her being brought back to court.
“You created this situation,” Valenciano said.Manguchei was re-sentenced on a reduced misdemeanor abuse of family or household member charge from the plea deal. She was also sentenced on one other count of abuse of family or household member.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Arin said the original charge was a felony count of second-degree assault. The seriousness of the underlying offense meant the state could have asked for two consecutive one-year prison terms.
Arin said the circumstances of the defendant’s situation are a factor and that the state would ask for concurrent one-year terms. Arin also asked for the requirement to complete an alternatives to domestic violence program.
The defendant knew all along what she had to do, Arin added. The motion for revocation was not filed until after several attempts were made to accommodate the defendant.
The defendant also lost custody of a child after failing to comply with the terms of a case in family court, Arin said.
Court-appointed defense attorney James Tagupa said Manguchei is homeless and expecting a child. Her inability to comply with probation was due to a permanent disability, which makes it difficult to read and to maintain schedules.
