Man charged in beating death

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 28-year-old Kalihi man was charged yesterday with second-degree murder in connection with the beating death of a 60-year-old man Saturday.

James D. Strong, also known as James "Dino" Balai, is accused of killing the man in a home on Ahiahi Street in Kalihi. His bail was set at $250,000.

Ambulance personnel were sent to the home at about 3:20 a.m. Saturday after the 60-year-old man was found unconscious in his bed. The victim, identified in court documents as Gaulbert "Gully" Reis, was taken to The Queen's Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 7:15 a.m.

Police initially classified the case as an unattended death. But an autopsy showed that Reis died of a blunt-force injury to his head, according to the city medical examiner's office.

A woman told police that her cousin, identified as Strong, assaulted Reis as he slept in his bed. The woman said she saw Strong punch Reis several times, leaving Reis unconscious, according to court documents.

Police said Strong and Reis were acquaintances, but police did not say what led to the assault.

Police searched several areas where Strong had been known to frequent and arrested him Monday evening at a Ho'oli Circle address in Pearl City.

Strong's criminal history includes a May 2002 conviction for second-degree assault. He was sentenced to 30 days in prison and placed on five years probation, according to court records.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.