Murder charge excludes parole

By David Waite
Advertiser Courts Writer

A man accused of killing a 46-year-old Kapahulu woman two weeks ago was indicted yesterday by an O'ahu grand jury on a charge of second-degree murder and could face life without parole if he is convicted.

A second-degree murder conviction usually carries a sentence of life with the possibility of parole. But the indictment returned against Ronald J. Howe charges him with a murder that was "especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity." Such a charge carries the no-parole provision.

Howe, 48, was charged Friday with the murder of Robyn Mae Nakaji, 46, whose body was found April 23 wrapped in a blanket and tarp near the entrance to a goat farm on Old Fort Weaver Road. Her head, mouth and hands were bound with tape.

City Deputy Prosecutor Stacy Suzuki told Circuit Judge Richard Perkins yesterday that Howe confessed to killing Nakaji after a dispute over drugs. Suzuki said Howe admitted he beat Nakaji before "cutting her throat sometime later when he realized she was still alive."

Suzuki said Howe's criminal record includes 12 prior felony convictions, including those for burglary, forgery, firearms violations and car theft. Judge Perkins reaffirmed bail of $1 million in the case.

Howe's sister was arrested in connection with Nakaji's death but was released without charges pending further investigation.

Reach David Waite at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8030.