A 22-year-old Hawai'i Kai woman charged with first-degree kidnapping and armed robbery in connection with a drug-related slaying last May in Kane'ohe of a suspected drug dealer has a preliminary hearing scheduled Wednesday at District Court.

Maui native Rihanna Joy Valentino, a community college student who was known as Melissa Ordonez when Benjamin Grajeda of North Hollywood was kidnapped and later gunned down on Kane'ohe Bay Drive May 14 when he tried to escape from his captors, is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. Her attorney, Michael Green, disputed the charges.

"A year later, they don't have any more information than they had at the beginning," Green said today. "The only thing different from a year ago is one of the guys is talking and he's doing it to save his own life."

Valentino will plead not guilty to charges, Green said. However, Green believes prosecutors will likely indict his client canceling the need for preliminary hearing.

A police affidavit filed at District Court alleges Valentino conspired with Jerrico Dewon Lindsey to rob Grajeda of drugs and cash at his Pu'uohalai Place apartment. Lindsey is accused of killing Grajeda.

Charles Lee Freeman, meanwhile, is awaiting trial for kidnapping and hindering prosecution in the same case. A third male suspect, who is on the mainland, has yet to be charged.

Green confirmed that his client served a short sentence for a prior federal drug conspiracy conviction and that she has been working and attending college.