City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle had asked the board at a Nov. 9 hearing to order Aki to serve the full 20-year term, but Carlisle yesterday said he was satisfied that Aki will have to serve 95 percent of his term, the longest the prosecutor can recall he has obtained in any manslaughter case he has handled.

"That's obviously a remarkably significant minimum, but an appropriate one based on the nature of the offense," he said.

Eddins said the term is higher than the average for manslaughter cases that he estimates ranges from 12 to 16 years. "The verdict itself and the factual circumstances suggest that the board's disposition was unwarranted," he said.

Aki, 22, was charged with murdering the 'Aiea Elementary School sixth-grader whose disappearance Dec. 10, 2002, from her Halawa home triggered a massive search by family, friends and law enforcement. Her body was found three days later off the 'Aiea Loop Trail.

But a Circuit Court jury returned a verdict on the lesser manslaughter charge.

Aki gave statements to police blaming others before he confessed and said he killed the girl. On the witness stand at his trial, he testified the girl's uncle and another man killed her.

Carlisle said the board's decision was about as "good a decision (as) we're going to get" in view of the circumstances. He said Aki did not have prior convictions, his actions were "out of character" and in his confession to police, he showed remorse.

"I think it's unfortunate he didn't have the courage to continue telling the truth," Carlisle said.

During his hearing, Aki told the board he never hurt the girl, but said he was wrong for taking her to the 'Aiea Heights parking lot where he said the two men killed her.

Aki is serving his sentence at Halawa prison.