Matthew Higa, of Punchbowl, made his initial appearance in District Court today. He was represented by public defender Alen Kaneshiro. Higa, 23, faces a charge of second-degree murder for the death of 23-month-old Cyrus Belt, who was tossed over the Miller Street overpass onto the H-1 Freeway last Thursday. BRUCE ASATO I The Honolulu Advertiser   Extra sheriff's deputies were required to watch over Alapeti Siuanu Tunoa Jr. during his initial appearance in District Court today. The 30-year-old Salt Lake man is charged with beating 29-year-old Janel Tupuola to death with the butt of a shotgun in Kailua last Wednesday. Tunoa is also represented by public defender Alen Kaneshiro. BRUCE ASATO I The Honolulu Advertiser

Neither man said anything in court, although Higa's father, Shelton Higa, said outside court that his son has a history of drug abuse as well as mental-health problems.

Higa, 23, is accused of murdering a neighbor's child, Cyrus Belt, by throwing the child off a freeway overpass Thursday.

Asked if he knew why his son would commit such a crime, Shelton Higa said, "I have an idea," but declined to elaborate.

Tunoa, 30, is accused of beating his estranged girlfriend to death with the butt of a shotgun on a residential street in Kailua last Wednesday.

State public defender Alen Kaneshiro entered not guilty pleas on behalf of both men before District Judge Russel Nagata.

Nagata set preliminary hearings for Thursday afternoon for both men, in which details of the evidence against them would be publicly aired.

But a grand jury could indict either or both men before then, canceling the hearing.

See interview with Higa's father, Shelton ADVERTISER VIDEO.