Posted at 11:10 a.m., Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Former investigator sentenced in murder
Advertiser Staff
A former investigator with the city Medical Examiner's Office was sentenced this morning to 15 years to life in prison for the murder of a Kane'ohe man at a Manoa house and growing marijuana there.Circuit Judge Steven Alm ordered Gregory R. Awana to serve at least 15 years of his life term with parole because he used a firearm in the murder of Yorck Woita, 28, on Aug. 29, 2003.
At the time, Awana worked with the city medical examiner's office.
Awana, 39, told police he shot Woita three times in the head and then dumped the body in the waters off Kane'ohe Bay. He contended he acted in self defense, but a Circuit Court jury in December rejected self defense and agreed with the prosecution that the gun couldn't have accidentally gone off three times and that Awana should be convicted of murder.
The jury found Awana guilty of murder, related charges and commercial promotion of marijuana.
After he serves 15 years, the Hawai'i Paroling Authority will determine when Awana can be released on parole.
Woita's body has never been recovered.
