Posted on: Friday, January 25, 2002

Prosecution fights bail for accused policeman

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Police officer Albert Pacheco threatened others and stalked his wife before killing her Jan. 4 near their Waikoloa Village home, according to a prosecutor's motion opposing bail.

Pacheco, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree criminal property damage, first-degree terroristic threatening and using a firearm in the commission of a felony for killing his wife, Cathalene Ann Pacheco, 42. Police said he rammed his wife's van with his car, then shot her numerous times in the head.

Friends of Cathalene Pacheco, the mother of five children, said her husband had been abusing her for years and that she was not living at home at the time of her death.

Albert Pacheco is being held without bail at Hawai'i Community Correctional Center, and has been on a suicide watch since he attempted to kill himself while in police custody Jan. 5. At defense attorney Melody Parker's request, Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura set a bail hearing for Feb. 15.

Deputy Prosecutor Michael Udovic yesterday filed a motion arguing against bail, since Pacheco represents a danger to himself and the community, he said. "Multiple witnesses have advised they are in fear of the defendant should he be released," he said.

Udovic also revealed that prior to the slaying, Pacheco had told someone "he was capable of committing a murder." The motion also states that the Kona detective was stalking his wife and had staked out a hotel where she spent the night.

Pacheco is a 21-year veteran of police departments in Hawai'i.