A 41-year-old charged with squirting gasoline on a neighbor and setting him afire was convicted of the lesser offense of assault rather than attempted murder yesterday.

Keith Yamamoto went on trial on attempted murder and criminal property damages charges for an attack on Lai "Peter" Leong on Bush Lane near Punchbowl on Oct. 4 of last year that resulted from a feud between the neighbors.

Leong, 38, suffered burns on 20 percent of his body, mostly to the left side of his shoulder and back, resulting in scarring.

The defense didn't dispute Yamamoto set the neighbor afire or that he damaged the neighbor's car, but Deputy Public Defender Darcia Forester told the jury her client should be convicted of the lesser first-degree assault charge.

She said that while Yamamoto intended to harm Leong, he didn't intend to kill him.

The Circuit Court jury deliberated for about 4 1/2 hours before returning the verdict.

Yamamoto did not say anything when it was announced, but appeared relieved.

"He's very grateful," Forester said.

Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto scheduled sentencing for Jan. 24.

Attempted murder carries a mandatory life term with the possibility of parole. The assault and two criminal property damage convictions each carry a maximum 10-year term.

City Deputy Prosecutor Wayne Tashima said he will ask for a maximum 20-year term because Yamamoto committed multiple offenses and because of the nature of the crimes.

Forester said she doesn't know yet what she will recommend, but said Yamamoto doesn't have a prior criminal record and is eligible for probation. She said she will oppose the 20-year term.

Neither the prosecution nor the defense commented on the nature of the feud. Leong had earlier filed a restraining order against "my crazy neighbor," alleging three instances of attack and assault.

According to testimony, Leong was in his car with his wife, sister and 11-month-old daughter when Yamamoto pulled up in a pickup truck and blocked Leong's car. Yamamoto smashed the car windows with a hammer, squirted the gasoline and set Leong on fire.

Leong fled, taking off his burning shirt and getting help from a passing motorist.

Tashima said Yamamoto had planned the attack and could have used other weapons — a speargun and hammer — if he simply wanted to scare the neighbor.

"I'm disappointed, but the jury obviously had considered the evidence," Tashima said. "That's the whole purpose of having a jury, so I'll accept it."

Yamamoto has been in custody since his arrest shortly after the attack, unable to post $50,000 bail.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.