Judge allows Aki statement at trial

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Circuit Judge Virginia Crandall has denied a motion to ban statements police obtained from Christopher Clayburn Aki, who is accused of killing 11-year-old Kahealani "Kahea" Indreginal in December 2002.

In a motion filed in August, Deputy Public Defender Todd Eddins argued that Aki's constitutional rights had been violated because police considered him a suspect when they interviewed him, before obtaining his statements. Suspects must be advised of their Miranda rights before police can legally interrogate them.

Police say Aki gave them two statements. One implicated two men in the murder, and was discredited by police, and in the second he admitted killing Indreginal.

"The ruling does not alter our defense," Eddins said without further comment. Prosecutor Peter Carlisle declined to comment.

Crandall issued the ruling Tuesday.

Jury selection for Aki's trial is to begin March 1.

Indreginal's body was found off 'Aiea Loop Trail on Dec. 13, 2002, three days after she disappeared from Pu'uwai Momi public housing in Halawa.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com