GOOD SAMARITAN CASE
Hawaii murder defendant exultant at scene, says witness
Photo gallery: Killing suspect was exultant |
By Jim Dooley
Advertiser Staff Writer
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After punching Good Samaritan Ned Nakoa Jr. to the ground last year in Waikiki, Kelii Acasia stood over the victim, raised his hands over his head and yelled, "Westside! Wai'anae!" a witness testified yesterday in Acasia's murder trial.
Acasia also pointed to the ZIP code of Wai'anae, 96792, which is tattooed across the top of his back, said the witness, Marcus Perry.
Acasia, 20, is accused of murdering Nakoa on May 17, 2008, after Nakoa tried to intercede in a purse-snatching, according to prosecutors.
The purse-snatching was committed by Acasia's co-defendant in the case, Benjamin Pada, who pleaded guilty in March to robbery and assault.
According to Perry, Pada was fighting with the boyfriend of the woman whose purse was taken when Nakoa tried to stop the dispute.
" 'Enough already,' " Perry quoted Nakoa as saying. " 'It's a nice night. Look at the moon.' "
Nakoa was punched by the shirtless Acasia, Perry said.
On cross examination, defense attorney Keith Shigetomi pointed out discrepancies between Perry's account on the witness stand and what he told police immediately after the altercation.
Perry said at different times that Acasia was wearing a white shirt, a black tank top, and no shirt at all.
Shigetomi told jurors that his client is not guilty of the murder charge because he was defending his girlfriend from a drunken man.
An autopsy showed Nakoa, 58, died of tearing of the brain, according to Deputy Prosecutor Charlene Ikeda.
The autopsy also showed Nakoa had a high level of alcohol in his system when he died.
Acasia was on probation for an earlier sexual assault conviction when he allegedly killed Nakoa.
Reach Jim Dooley at jdooley@honoluluadvertiser.com.