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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Monday, July 16, 2001

Murder defendant charged with dealing 'ice'

By Christie Wilson
Neighbor Island Editor

HILO, Hawai'i — A Puna man awaiting trial for a 1989 execution-style murder in Waimanalo is being held on federal charges involving the distribution of crystal methamphetamine.

John Joseph "Joe" Griffiths, 38, was arrested without incident Friday morning as FBI agents and Big Island police executed a search warrant at his Mountain View home. A previous search of the residence was conducted June 8.

FBI officials are not releasing information on details of the case, including any items that may have been seized from the home.

Griffiths, charged with distribution and conspiracy to distribute crystal methamphetamine, is expected to make an appearance today before a federal magistrate in Honolulu.

At the time of his arrest, he was free on bail awaiting an Oct. 29 retrial in the slaying of bodybuilder Eric Kamanu, 26, who prosecutors characterized as a cocaine kingpin. Griffiths' first trial in 1999 ended with jurors unable to reach a verdict.

Kamanu's body was found in tall grass along Huli Street in Waimanalo in August 1989. He had been shot four times in the head.

Griffiths and four other men were indicted in 1993 in connection with the murder.

Three of the suspects who were charged with murder conspiracy had their cases thrown out because the statute of limitations had expired, and the fourth pleaded guilty to manslaughter in exchange for testifying for the prosecution.

Griffiths has denied involvement in the murder.