2 in Puna took turns in killings, police say

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Two young men charged in a double homicide allegedly took turns shooting two acquaintances before dumping their bodies in an empty Puna lot and stealing their marijuana, according to police testimony at a preliminary hearing for one of the suspects yesterday.

The bodies of Cassidy Toole, 20, and Wesley Matheson, 19, were found May 30 by police. The victims were shot in the head May 6 at the Fern Acres home they shared.

John McGovern, 18, and Kyle Zengy Thurston Hill, 19, have been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and other crimes in connection with the slayings.

At yesterday's hearing for Hill in Hilo District Court, lead police investigator Richard Miyamoto testified that based on confessions made by both suspects, it is believed that Hill first shot Matheson with a rifle outside the Anthurium Street home. McGovern then allegedly took the gun, went inside the residence and shot Toole, who was hiding behind a couch, Miyamoto said.

McGovern next went outside and found Matheson still moving and allegedly shot him again at close range. Miyamoto testified that Hill told him that McGovern said the words, "Sorry, friend," before firing another blast at the victim's head.

Hill then allegedly entered the home and shot Toole.

According to Miyamoto, the two suspects loaded the dead men into a van and left their bodies at a vacant lot a few blocks away on Lehua Street. They then headed to Kona in Toole's 2001 black Honda Civic, taking with them 20 small marijuana plants and some pills from a refrigerator.

Miyamoto admitted he used the threat of a federal death penalty in gaining a confession from Hill, who was interviewed four times. Only the last session was videotaped. Miyamoto said he told Hill the detective was his "best friend" because he was trying to save him from execution.