Posted on: Saturday, September 11, 2004

Kahuku farmer free on bail

By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

A Kahuku farmer accused of the fatal shooting Monday night of a man he believed was stealing from his farm posted $25,000 bail and was released from police custody at 5:45 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

Khamxath Baccam had been scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m. yesterday in District Court to be arraigned on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the slaying of Marce-lino Pacheco, 38, whose body was found on a dirt road leading to Baccam's leased farm lot. The 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 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. The shotgun has not been found.

Baccam is originally from Laos.

Court records show Pacheco had a history of crystal meth-amphetamine use, and police said they suspect he was stealing from Kahuku 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.

Reach David Waite at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-7412.