Posted on: Thursday, June 21, 2001

Men claim innocence in attack on gay campers

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Two men charged with a May 26 attack on a group of gay campers have pleaded not guilty to a range of charges, including attempted murder.

Orion Macomber, 19, and Eamonn Carolan, 18, remain in jail on $250,000 bail each.

Each is charged with two counts of second-degree attempted murder and a first-degree attempted murder charge, which carries a mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole. First-degree attempted murder was charged because of the multiple victims.

Other charges involve allegations of assault, criminal property damage and breaking into cars.

Deputy prosecuting attorney Craig De Costa said a trial is scheduled Sept. 10.

Prosecutors said the accused men were camping near the group of gay men when the accused entered the camp after midnight and set fire to one occupied tent.

The camper inside was able to escape unhurt. Another occupied tent was found with kerosene and a char mark on it, leading to the second attempted murder count.