Hilario trial moved to February

LIHU‘E — It has been more than nine months since Aureo Moore had been shot from behind and killed in broad daylight near Anahola Beach Park. But the pieces of this complex case are still being put together.

The defense — and the prosecution — need additional time before the trial of accused murderer Vicente Hilario can begin.

Hilario appeared with his court appointed attorney Keith Shigetomi at a Monday hearing before Fifth Circuit Court Chief Judge Randal G.B. Valenciano.

The trial date was moved to Feb. 6, 2012 following Shigetomi’s extended pretrial motion request for time to transcribe witness testimonies.

He said that it could take up to 60 days to complete the work.

County Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho and First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jake Delaplane were present to lead the prosecution. They saw no objection as long as the state was not charged for the delay.

The prosecution also requested the re-appointment of court ordered attorneys for two special witnesses that present conflict concerns with the state public defenders office. The witnesses testified at the initial District Court case and prior to the Grand Jury indictment.

According to Iseri-Carvalho, the two will need the attorneys re-appointed in order to testify again in the Circuit Court trial. The court needs to approve the appointments as a judicial cost.

Hilario is accused of shooting and killing Kapa‘a resident Moore, 35, on a road near Anahola Beach Park on Dec. 17, 2010. According to information at a recent drug prevention meeting, the prosecutors said prescription drugs may have been the motive in the crime as Moore had just filled for oxycodone and morphine tablets.

Hilario is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, retaliating against a witness, intimidating a witness and bribery of a witness.

• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by emailing tlaventure@ thegardenisland.com.