Argument over cigarette led to slaying

By Jessica Webster
Advertiser Staff Writer

A Honolulu police detective said in District Court yesterday that Benjamin Costa Amarino was killed over a 25-cent cigarette squabble.

The 59-year-old man was bludgeoned with bricks and thrown into the River Street canal after he cussed at two Kalihi teenagers who wouldn't give him a free smoke, detective Larry Tamashiro said.

Honolulu District Court Judge Tenney Tongg ruled yesterday that there was enough evidence to support second-degree murder charges against Pedro Velarde and Alvin Samau and ordered the two 18-year-olds to stand trial beginning Aug. 27.

Defense attorneys declined to comment on the police testimony or their clients' defense.

Deputy medical examiner William Goodhue testified that Amarino suffered three large scalp lacerations and brain injuries, in addition to other injuries on his body.

"But this man was alive when he went into the water," said Goodhue. Amarino's body was found floating in Nu'uanu Stream near the Kukui Street bridge Aug. 1.

Goodhue also said preliminary toxicology reports show Amarino had a blood alcohol level of .01.

Based upon information he received from interviews with Velarde, Tamashiro testified that Velarde and Samau were sitting and drinking alcohol at a bus stop on River Street when Amarino approached them for a cigarette.

When the men told Amarino the cigarette would cost 25 cents, Amarino allegedly swore at them, Tamashiro said.

The detective said the men punched and kicked Amarino, beat him with some bricks, then threw him into the stream.

A witness reported seeing the attack at about 3:05 a.m.

Police were notified around 5:45 a.m.

Amarino was pulled from the water by the Honolulu Fire Department and was pronounced dead soon after.

Bail for Velarde and Samau was set at $100,000.