Khamxath Baccam was supposed to appear at 8:30 this morning in District Court to be arraigned on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the slaying of Marcelino Pacheco, 38, whose body was found on a dirt road leading to Baccam's leased farm lot. Today's arraignment was canceled.

Normally, criminal defendants who post bail are scheduled to appear for their arraignment within a week to 10 days of their release.

Prosecutors could not immediately say when Baccam will be arraigned.

Police said Baccam told officers in Wahiawa that he shot a man, later identified as Pacheco, because he believed Pacheco had been stealing equipment and produce from Baccam's farm.

According to a police homicide investigator's statement filed in court, Baccam walked into the Wahiawa Police Station and told officers "that he had shot and killed someone on this farm (Monday) night and that he felt bothered by it all night long."

Baccam, who lives a block from the Wahiawa Police Station, also told police that he threw the shotgun away after the incident, according to the investigator's statement.

Baccam is originally from Laos.

Court records show Pacheco had a history of crystal methamphetamine use, and police said they suspect that he was stealing crops and equipment from the Kahuku-area farmers to feed a drug habit.

Court records show Pacheco had 21 prior arrests and an ice problem when he was indicted for car theft, and later for burglary, in 2001.