LIHUE — The jury trial for Cody Safadago, 47, facing several charges in a fatal crash, has been extended for the third time.
Safadago is on his third court-appointed attorney.
He is charged with eight counts relating to an accident that killed 19-year-old Kayla Huddy-Lemn of Kapaa, including manslaughter, negligent homicide and driving while under the influence.
The case was scheduled for a jury trial last Monday, but his attorney requested a new trial date, now scheduled for Oct. 29.
Police say Safadago was driving a stolen pickup truck on April 27, 2017, when it crossed the center line on Kuhio Highway in front of the Courtyards at Waipouli apartment complex, striking a sedan head-on that was driven by Huddy-Lemn.
After the impact, the truck continued south for about 500 feet until it came to a stop near Kintaro Japanese Restaurant.
Huddy-Lemn was transported to Wilcox Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. Safadago sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the accident.
An on-scene investigation revealed the truck driven by Safadago was stolen from a home in Kapaa just minutes before the accident. Safadago fled the scene on foot, but was later located by police near the Wailua Shopping Plaza and was apprehended by police following a struggle.
According to the state’s online court database, Safadago was indicted on charges relating to this matter May 10, 2017, when the court appointed John Murphy as his attorney.
On June 5, 2017, Murphy filed a motion with the court for an examination that would rule whether his client was mentally fit to stand trial.
On Aug. 8, 2017, examination reports deemed Safadago fit to stand trial. Murphy withdrew from the case and attorney Melinda Mendes was appointed to represent Safadago.
A capacity exam was ordered on Aug. 12, 2017. Safadago was found fit to stand trial on Sept. 12, 2017, and a jury trial was set for May 21, with Mendes stating she would file a motion to dismiss.
Safadago wrote a letter to the court stating he wanted a different attorney. On April 12, Mendes filed a motion to withdraw from the case and attorney Emmanuel Guerrero was appointed. Guerrero requested a third extension for the jury trial.
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Bethany Freudenthal, courts, crime and county reporter, can be reached at 652-7891 or bfreudenthal@thegardenisland.com.
Aloha Kakou,
Attorney Melinda Mendes, was going to file for a dismissal of this horrific fatality case?
Was this a TGI REPORTING ERROR, or was Ms. Mendes just not up to it?
Mahalo,
Charles
The entitlement of this guy is simply disgusting. That he really wants to drag this out as long as possible, adding even more insult to injury, is despicable behavior. Guess I will return to see what comes of him in October.
Sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter, people of Kapaa! You deserved better. The white people hanging out in that valley need to go, no doubt. They always manage to attract this kind, sooner or later when they start trying to live “indigenous” because they don’t have structure, everyone has a huge ego and thinks they are the ruler and entitled to all! I hope you reclaim that valley and send this guy away for a long time.