LIHU‘E — A Kapa‘a woman convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia was sentenced to jail and a five-year felony probation Thursday in 5th Circuit Court, with the judge offering one more chance to turn her life around. Tricia Bernadin Pakalana Rosa,
LIHU‘E — A Kapa‘a woman convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia was sentenced to jail and a five-year felony probation Thursday in 5th Circuit Court, with the judge offering one more chance to turn her life around.
Tricia Bernadin Pakalana Rosa, 41, spoke at length to express her remorse at allowing herself to fall in with the wrong friends and make bad choices. She had already successfully completed drug treatment and probation once before, and the judge want to know why Rosa thought it would work this time when it had not in the past.
Rosa said that nine months in jail has opened her eyes and given her life meaning and purpose. The difference now is a devotion to improve that goes past just staying clean and sober, she said.
An addict thinks they are sane while living a life of insanity, Rosa said.
Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Samuel Jajich asked for a bench conference after Rosa’s extensive statement.
He returned to open court and said the state would recommend probation with a year in jail and credit for time served.
The request for a new pre-sentence report from defense attorney Rosa Flores was denied. She said a rushed background investigation and interview presented Rosa in an unflattering and inaccurate light.
Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said he would allow time to submit additional material to address the concerns with the report, but said the information was enough to render a decision.
Flores noted that Rosa is not a violent person, but was abused by others since childhood and that has led to poor choices. She fell into a dark place after learning a daughter had suffered some of the same abuse, Flores said.
Valenciano said that just one prior felony worked in Rosa’s favor, but that several contacts with law enforcement even without convictions worked against her. He was also concerned about a previous probation.
Valenciano told Rosa the court would give her another opportunity.
He also ordered Rosa to complete another drug addiction assessment and to comply with recommendations.
Rosa pleaded no contest to unlawful use of drug paraphernalia on May 15. Two charges of possessing third-degree dangerous and detrimental drugs were dismissed.
The charges stem from a Sept. 18 arrest, in which co-defendants Robin Servantes, Joseph Rapozo and Shauday Ragudo have already been sentenced. Their cases are still ongoing with a jury trial date of Aug. 27.
