But Crandall also granted a request by Rodrigues' lawyer William Harrison to permit his client to remain free on $75,000 bail pending the appeal of the conviction to the Hawai'i Supreme Court.

The appeal could take a year or longer.

Rodrigues declined to speak in court, but his family members maintained that he is innocent and was at his Kailua home at the time of the Manoa home invasion.

City Deputy Prosecutor Russell Uehara, however, maintained that Rodrigues was the robber. Both victims identified Rodrigues as the gunman.

In permitting Rodrigues to remain free on bail, Crandall noted he is a lifelong resident with strong family ties who won't likely pose a danger to the community, despite the convictions.

Crandall found Rodrigues guilty in March 2002 of burglary, armed robbery and kidnapping. The sentencing had been delayed until she filed her findings of guilt in December 2003 and while the defense tried to gather evidence to convince the judge that Rodrigues did not commit the crimes.