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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 12:53 p.m., Friday, July 11, 2003

Fatal shooting suspect had been drinking

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

A Kahuku man charged with second-degree murder was drunk when he shot a friend Tuesday morning, police said.

Colonel Robert Taylor, 53, who claims the shooting was accidental, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.13 percent at about 2 p.m., four hours after he brought his wounded friend to Kahuku Hospital, according to police. The victim, a 54-year-old citizen of Mexico identified in a police report filed at District Court as Jesus Camacho, was transferred to The Queen's Medical Center where he died in surgery at 2:35 p.m.

The medical examiner's office, however, has not confirmed the identity of the victim, who is in the United States on a work permit.

In addition to murder, Taylor was charged yesterday with three firearm offenses, including being a felon in possession, and first-degree promotion of commercial marijuana. His bail total is $400,000. Taylor has been convicted of crimes on the Mainland, police said.

The court document said the shooting occurred at 9:30 a.m. on Sky Ranch property at 56-350 Kamehameha Highway. Taylor allegedly told a police officer at the hospital, "I shot my friend." The affidavit noted police recovered a "38 special" revolver with one spent casing.

Taylor stated at different times that he was showing, playing with or loading the gun when it went off, police said.