Posted on: Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Big Island woman convicted of killing ex-spouse
By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Neighbor Island Editor
A three-month murder trial in Hilo Circuit Court ended yesterday with a jury convicting Genesis E. Kauhi of shooting her ex-husband as he stood in the shower of her Keaukaha home.
Kauhi, 53, testified earlier this month that the Oct. 18, 2001, shooting was an act of self-defense during a struggle with Gaylon Baldado. But Deputy Prosecutor Darren Ching said yesterday that jurors probably were persuaded by expert testimony on the trajectory of the fatal bullet that contradicted the defendant's version of the killing.
"I'm hoping Gaylon Baldado can rest in peace and that the rest of his family and friends can put this tragedy behind them," Ching said. "The nature of his death, the way it happened, has been very disturbing to the family."
Jurors began their deliberation Thursday afternoon, reconvened on Friday, then took a break over the weekend before announcing the verdict yesterday afternoon. Kauhi was found guilty of second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a separate felony. The murder charge carries a mandatory penalty of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole, and the firearm charge a 20-year term.
Judge Greg Nakamura set sentencing for Sept. 15, and raised Kauhi's bail to $60,000. She had been free on $10,000 bail, but was taken into custody following the verdict.
Ching said no decision had been made on whether to seek consecutive prison terms.
Deputy Public Defender Michael Ebesugawa could not be reached to comment.
Ching presented evidence in the trial that Baldado, 51, had plans for a new life with a girlfriend he met on Johnston Atoll. In his closing argument last week, Ching said Kauhi murdered her ex-husband because of jealousy and the impending loss of his financial support.
Kauhi testified she and Baldado had sex and showered together at her Baker Avenue home the day of the shooting. She said he stepped out of the shower first and then pulled a gun on her. Kauhi said she lunged at Baldado and in the struggle that followed, he dropped the gun and ended up back in the shower stall.
Kauhi said she picked up the .40-caliber Ruger pistol and fatally shot Baldado in the abdomen. Ching said the trajectory of the bullet through the shower curtain and the victim's body told a different story.
"The physical evidence that we produced proved that this happened in the shower while the victim was standing upright, which is inconsistent with her versions to police as well as to the jury in her testimony," Ching said.
During her testimony, Kauhi admitted making false statements to police, and Ching said jurors likely found implausible her explanation for not immediately seeking help for the wounded man, who died later that day at Hilo Medical Center.
Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.
