LIHUE — A 5th Circuit judge Tuesday denied bail for the suspect accused of killing an 88-year-old man on New Year’s Day. Giovanni Lictawa Corpuz, 41, of Koloa, won’t be allowed to leave prison as he waits for his second-degree
LIHUE — A 5th Circuit judge Tuesday denied bail for the suspect accused of killing an 88-year-old man on New Year’s Day.
Giovanni Lictawa Corpuz, 41, of Koloa, won’t be allowed to leave prison as he waits for his second-degree murder trial to begin because the Filipino man is considered a flight risk, the court ruled.
Corpuz was en route to the Philippines when authorities arrested him while changing planes in Taiwan on Jan. 10, just over a week after police found Amby Cruz, of Omao, dead from a gunshot wound to his head early New Year’s morning.
Judge Randal Valenciano said the court sided with the prosecution’s assertion that the defendant was a flight risk, and added that the defense did not rebut the claim.
“The court orders the defendant be held without bail,” Valenciano said.
Corpuz is also charged with carrying or using a firearm in the commission of a separate felony. If convicted, he faces two possible extended sentencing possibilities for inflicting serious injury on a person ages 60 or older.
County First Deputy Public Attorney Kevin Takata said if Corpuz is convicted, the state would seek a life sentence.
During the hearing, Corpuz’s travel plans to leave Kauai before his arrest became a discussion point.
An area travel agent was called into 5th Circuit Court to testify about the conversation he had with Corpuz about airfares to the Philippines.
Jeffrey Callejo at Mokihana Travel in Lihue said Corpuz purchased a round-trip ticket from his agency and that Corpuz didn’t ask about one-way tickets. The agent testified that Corpuz had said he was going off island on short notice to attend a funeral.
It may be easier Filipino expatriates to return to their native country with a one-way ticket, but generally, most countries want non-residents to show proof of a return ticket when they visit, Callejo added. If they do not, then they need to produce the proper documentation.
Takata asked Callejo if Corpuz, assisted by Ilocano dialect court interpreter Danilo Abadilla, had mentioned that he borrowed $500 for the trip and told his father that he was searching for a bride.
“No,” Callejo said.
Deputy State Public Defender John Calma contested the prosecution’s request to deny Corpuz bail.
Calma said the defendant has no previous convictions involving violence and is not on probation or parole. It is the defendant’s right to have a bail study, Calma added.
The trial date remains set for April 21. Corpuz is being held at Kauai Community Correctional Center.
