Posted on: Tuesday, July 8, 2003
Man enters guilty plea to murder, other counts
By David Waite
Advertiser Courts Writer
A 35-year-old O'ahu man faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after pleading guilty yesterday to a series of crimes early last year that included the shotgun death of one man, the attempted murder of another and the armed robbery of a Kapahulu antiques store.
In exchange for his guilty pleas in Circuit Court, the city prosecutor's office has agreed not to seek consecutive life sentences for Markes Rapozo, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges for killing Earl Hirakawa, 40, March 6 last year while Hirakawa was driving his car on North Vineyard Boulevard.
Rapozo, who has also gone by the last name of Rapoza, also pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder for shooting the owner of GH Pawn, Camera and Gold Exchange during an armed robbery of the store on March 16 last year.
In addition, Rapozo pleaded guilty to robbing Bailey's Antiques and Aloha Shirts on Jan. 18 last year.
Circuit Judge Marie Milks set a sentencing date of Oct. 21 for Rapozo.
City Deputy Prosecutor Christopher Van Marter said while the plea agreement prevents him from asking for consecutive life terms, he will ask the Hawaii Paroling Authority to set a minimum term of 100 years before Rapozo is eligible for parole.
He said Rapozo had been convicted previously of eight felonies, had spent most of his adult life in prison and has no known occupation.
Van Marter said Rapozo arranged to meet Hirakawa at the Pali Longs store under the pretense of buying drugs and then stole the drugs from Hirakawa and fled in a car. Hirakawa chased him and was shot in the head by a shotgun when he pulled up next to the car in which Rapozo was riding.
Van Marter said the pawn shop owner was shot after he pulled a gun on Rapozo while Rapozo was robbing the store. Rapazo's gun misfired and he was able to wrest two guns away from the store owner and shoot him twice. The owner was in a coma for two months and was only recently released from the hospital, Van Marter said.
