LIHUE — A motion for a new trial in a murder case against Koma Texeira, formerly of Waimea, in connection with the 2016 shooting death of Jon Togioka, was denied.
LIHUE — A motion for a new trial in a murder case against Koma Texeira, formerly of Waimea, in connection with the 2016 shooting death of Jon Togioka, was denied.
“The motion was denied because the judge had already addressed all of Texeira’s arguments during trial and nothing new was raised in the motion for a new trial,” said Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar in a statement to TGI.
According to witness testimony and other evidence presented on Oct. 31, 2016, Texeira drove to the Burns Field area in Hanapepe and fatally shot Togioka.
“The defense objected to certain text messages as evidence and objected that they were not allowed by the judge to try and put more blame on other individuals,” Kollar said.
After closing arguments in late March, the jury deliberated about four hours, before finding Texeira guilty of murder in the second degree, use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony and two counts of prohibited possession of firearms or ammunition.
Sentencing for Texeira is expected in early July when he faces a possible mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Calls to Texeira’s defense attorney, Craig de Costa, were not returned by press time Monday.
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Bethany Freudenthal, Courts, Crime and County reporter, 652-7891 bfreudenthal@thegardenisland.com
