Timothy Adarna was charged with second-degree murder in the Nov. 16 death of his stepfather, Robert Ramos, whose body was found in the bedroom of his burned home on Kilipoe Street in 'Ewa Beach.

Fire officials said a body was found in the home had been burned beyond recognition. But the Honolulu Department of the Medical Examiner determined that the body was that of Ramos and that he had bled to death after being stabbed in the neck and hit on the neck and chest with a blunt object.

Adarna's initial appearance before a judge was held yesterday in the main cellblock at police headquarters on Beretania Street due to electrical problems at Honolulu District Court.

A preliminary hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at District Court to determine if there is sufficient evidence to turn the matter over to Circuit Court for trial.