Posted on: Tuesday, July 29, 2003

Man gets consecutive life sentences in double murder

By Kalani Wilhelm
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 24-year-old man yesterday received two consecutive life sentences without parole in the murder of a Kapahulu woman in January last year and the fatal shooting of a man four days later in Nu'uanu.

Circuit Judge Karen Ahn sentenced Jason K. Perry for the deaths of Tracey Tominaga, 37, and Edward Fuller, 40, saying he was a danger to society and that his conduct was "cruel."

Perry was one of eight men involved in the Jan. 21, 2002, incident at a cabin in the Palehua area above Makakilo, said city Deputy Prosecutor Christopher Van Marter.

Perry brought Tominaga to the cabin in hopes of forcing her to tell him the name of a man who held a shotgun to his head and robbed him of crystal methamphetamine and $213, Van Marter said.

Perry later shot Fuller to keep him from telling police about Tominaga's murder, Van Marter said.

Van Marter also said Perry returned to the scene and poured acid on Tominaga's body. "None of this would have happened if it wasn't for Jason Perry," said Van Marter. "He was the one in charge."

During the hearing, Perry acknowledged using ice and apologized. "If ice wasn't involved, I believe Tracey would have been in a whole different place as well as I," he said. "It wasn't supposed to be that way, but it ended up that way, and I take responsibility."

Richard Tominaga, 34, speaking in behalf of his family, told the judge that his sister's being hit in the head with a large tree branch by one man then having acid poured on her body by another will stay with him forever.

The brother also displayed a colorful collage of photographs of his sister with family and friends. In the very center was a picture of a Hawai'i sunset, which represents hope and better days, he said.

"I never had the chance to say goodbye," he said.

After Ahn imposed the sentence, Richard Tominaga said he felt better and admitted that he "felt a little sorry for Perry."

The victim's father, Donald Tominaga, said his family has no ill feelings toward Perry or his family. "I'll pray for him that he'll find the Lord someday," he said.

Richard Tominaga said because of his strong Christian beliefs, he will try very hard to forgive the men responsible for murdering his big sister.

"People can't hold grudges," he said. "It will just take time."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.