Posted on: Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Man convicted for role in woman's death

Advertiser Staff

One of the men who was present when a Kapahulu woman was strangled last year in an area above Makakilo was found guilty yesterday of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and other charges.

A Circuit Court jury deliberated for about four hours before finding Delaneo Puha, 25, guilty for his role in the death of Tracey Tominaga.

He was also convicted of attempted second-degree assault and first-degree hindering prosecution.

Jason Perry, 24, is accused of strangling Tominaga, 37, on Jan. 21, 2002, in retaliation for Tominaga and a friend having robbed Perry of crystal methamphetamine three days earlier.

Perry has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial later this week.

Puha's attorney, Reginald Minn, had argued during the trial that although Puha was present when Tominaga was killed, he was never part of any organized plan to abduct and kill her. Minn said he will likely appeal the verdict.

Puha faces 10 years in prison on the kidnapping charge and five years on each of the other two charges.

City Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter said he will ask Circuit Judge Karen Ahn to double each of the prison terms when Puha is sentenced July 28 because Puha is a repeat offender.