Man to serve at least 15 years for murder
By William Cole
Advertiser Courts Writer
Samson Kauhi, whose murder conviction in a 1994 case was set aside by the Hawai'i Supreme Court but who later pleaded guilty to the charge, has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
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Circuit Judge Wilfred Watanabe ruled that Kauhi must serve at least 15 years before he is eligible for parole because he committed a crime against the elderly in murdering Ellen Lum, 74. She was beaten and strangled in her Rycroft Street home in Makiki.
Samson Kauhi killed a 74-year-old Makiki woman.
Kauhi, 39, was convicted of murder and robbery in 1995, but the Supreme Court set aside the verdict and asked for a new trial because of a flaw in jury selection.
However, Kauhi pleaded guilty last year to killing Lum after prosecutors agreed to drop the burglary charge and the state recommended the sentence run concurrently with a term Kauhi received for parole revocation on an unrelated 1982 robbery.
Clifford Hunt, Kauhi's attorney, said his client will receive credit for more than eight years already served. Kauhi asked for forgiveness from two of Lum's sons who were in court.
"I know I did wrong. I took a precious life from you guys," he said. "All I can ask is you forgive me for what I've done."
The family members declined to comment following the sentencing.
