By William Cole
Advertiser Courts Writer
Rodrigo Ababa was to enter the Air Force Academy on Jan. 2 of last year, his attorney said. But drugs, alcohol and a shooting just two days before left one man dead, another critically wounded and brought an abrupt halt to Ababa’s dream of a military career.
Ababa, 19, was sentenced in Circuit Court yesterday to a prison term of 10 to 20 years for manslaughter and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Prosecutors said a shooting took place at King Street and Wolter Lane following a confrontation between two groups of males on New Year’s Eve 1999.
Ababa was charged with first-degree attempted murder for trying to kill more than one person; second-degree murder in the death of Richard Tambua, 22, who was shot in the neck; and attempted murder for wounding Donald Kamaka, 25, who was shot in the abdomen.
Ababa pleaded guilty to the lesser charges as part of a plea agreement. His attorney, Myles Breiner, said Ababa yesterday apologized, and although noting a drug and alcohol problem, took responsibility for the crime.
Breiner previously said Ababa was intoxicated on crystal methamphetamine and alcohol on the night of the shooting.
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