Courts and police briefs

Robbery suspects plead not guilty

Five men charged in connection with the Christmas Eve robbery and shooting death of Kane‘ohe liquor store owner Song Chol Marshall pleaded not guilty yesterday.

Eric K. Vance pleaded not guilty of second-degree murder in the death of a liquor store owner. Advertiser library photo • Jan. 12, 2001

Eric K. Vance, 31, accused of shooting Marshall in the head, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and firearms violations.

Albert R. Hoapili Jr., 33; Gabriel Apilando, 30; James K. Hoapili, 28; and Sheldon Barques, 31, are charged with first-degree robbery. Barques and Albert Hoapili Jr. also were charged with hindering prosecution, and Barques also was charged with second-degree criminal property damage.

All five men were arrested two weeks ago and all but Vance were released pending further investigation. The four others were re-arrested last week.

Man admits guilt in beating

A 28-year-old man pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted manslaughter yesterday in an attack last year on his girlfriend that left her with five facial fractures, prosecutors said.

Chad Pacheco, a onetime Pearl Harbor commissary produce clerk, will be sentenced to a maximum 20-year term on July 18 as part of the agreement. Pacheco originally was charged with attempted second-degree murder which carries a mandatory life term with parole.

City deputy prosecutor Maurice Arrisgado said the couple had been dating for about seven years when the victim, then 21, told Pacheco she wanted "more space." After the couple went to Diamond Head crater to talk on Jan. 23 of last year, Pacheco attacked the woman first with a knife and then with a tire iron, Arrisgado said.

Arrisgado said the woman received 27 stab wounds. She suffered a collapsed lung and later needed facial reconstructive surgery, he said. Pacheco indicated in court yesterday he did not want to go to trial.

Suspect arrested in Waikiki stabbing

Police arrested a 39-year-old man on Sunday morning after he allegedly stabbed a 40-year-old man in an argument over drugs in Waikiki.

Police arrested the man on suspicion of attempted murder after finding him in a bathroom at 1720 Ala Moana Blvd.

Police said the argument started after the victim used LSD and refused to pay for the drug. The suspect then stabbed the victim in the right rib cage area, police said.

Search continues for assault suspect

Authorities were searching yesterday for a 42-year-old man wanted for questioning in a case involving an assault on a police officer at the Pali Lookout this month.

Police said Darrell Baclaan is also wanted for a parole revocation warrant for a prior felony conviction.

Police want to question Baclaan about a recent series of car break-ins in the Kalihi area and a Jan. 2 incident at the Pali Lookout in which thieves driving a stolen car rammed a gate, hitting a police officer.

Baclaan should be considered dangerous, and he frequents the Foster Village, Kalihi, downtown and Waikiki areas, police said. Police believe that Baclaan may be driving a stolen vehicle.

Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

‘Opihi drowning victim identified

HILO, Hawai‘i — A man who apparently drowned while picking ‘opihi Saturday in Ka‘u has been identified as Jerry T. Nakaya, 49, of Honolulu.

Police said Nakaya was picking ‘opihi with friends Saturday morning at Wai‘ahukini Beach when he was hit by a large wave and swept out to sea. Rescue crews recovered Nakaya and he was taken by helicopter to Ka‘u Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:14 a.m.

An autopsy will be done to determine the exact cause of death, police said. Nakaya was the second ‘opihi picker in four weeks to die in the area near South Point.

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