LIHU‘E — A Fifth Circuit Court judge has recused himself from presiding on the case against a defendant accused of damaging store windows and an ATM machine with a baseball on Dec. 19 at Kukui Grove Center. Chief Judge Randal
LIHU‘E — A Fifth Circuit Court judge has recused himself from presiding on the case against a defendant accused of damaging store windows and an ATM machine with a baseball on Dec. 19 at Kukui Grove Center.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said in court Tuesday that he was present at Kukui Grove the day the defendant was arrested following the incident. He did not witness the alleged crime, he said, but did see the defendant walking out of the mall after the incident had taken place.
Valenciano made the announcement during the arraignment hearing for Patricia Lewis, 31, of Lihu‘e. She was indicted Dec. 27 on two counts of first-degree criminal property damage, attempted first-degree criminal property damage, and second-degree property damage.
Lewis is represented by state Public Defender Samuel Jajich. He said the defendant would request the recusal based on the information provided in open court.
Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Vogt represented the state.
Valenciano continued the arraignment hearing for Wednesday before Judge Kathleen Watanabe.
