LIHU‘E — A Lihu‘e woman was sentenced to a five-year felony probation and one year in jail for a repeat methamphetamine charge Tuesday in 5th Circuit Court. Lily Masue Morinaka, 55, pleaded no contest to third-degree promotion of a dangerous
LIHU‘E — A Lihu‘e woman was sentenced to a five-year felony probation and one year in jail for a repeat methamphetamine charge Tuesday in 5th Circuit Court.
Lily Masue Morinaka, 55, pleaded no contest to third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and paraphernalia. She was also ordered to undergo a drug dependency assessment and a mental health evaluation.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Samuel Jajich said that Morinaka has exhausted the benefits of probation and treatment with past offenses. He said the state had no choice but to recommend a full five-year prison term.
State Deputy Public Defender Christian Enright said that despite the defendant’s mental health condition, a team of examiners has determined that she was fit to proceed for trial.
He said that Morinaka is not a violent person and that her condition would not benefit from incarceration.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said Morinaka has had frequent contact with the criminal justice system. He said the relatively low number of felony offenses led the court to tailor a sentencing appropriate for the situation.
Morinaka would receive the benefit of probation again and would get credit for time served in jail. He cautioned the defendant that she was near the end of her opportunities to avoid a full prison sentence.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
