A woman who set off a series of crimes that ended in murderous gunfire was ordered to serve between three and 10 years in prison today.

Melissa Ordonez, 24, arranged what was to have been a burglary of drug dealer Benjamin Grajeda’s Kaneohe home in May 2007 but ended with the kidnapping and murder of Grajeda.
In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Ordonez admitted guilt to robbery, burglary and kidnapping charges and was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
Because Ordonez was convicted earlier in a federal drug conspiracy case, she was sentenced today as a repeat offender, which means she must serve at least three years and four months behind bars before being considered for parole.
Her lawyer, Michael Green, said Ordonez “is an absolute delight when she’s not on drugs.”
But her drug habits and her friendships led her to “sitting here (in court) in a white jumpsuit,” Green told Circuit Judge Steven Alm.
“This is her last chance,” Green continued. “She’s come to the end.”
Green said Ordonez, who grew up on Maui, has been using heroine, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine since she was 13 years old.
“I apologize to the victim’s family, to the court, to society, to everybody affected by this crime,” Ordonez told Alm.
“I regret that this happened. I accept the sentence, whatever it is.”
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Darrell Wong said Ordonez “set of chain of events going” that ended with the murder of Grajeda in the middle of Kaneohe Bay Drive, a crime that was witnessed by nearby residents and passing motorists.
The gunman, Jerrico Lindsey, was Ordonez’ boyfriend, and was told by her that Grajeda had money and drugs stashed in his house.
Lindsey was convicted in a jury trial of murdering Grajeda and will be sentenced Dec. 21 by Alm.
Ordonez did not testify in the Lindsey trial as a prosecution witness because she had told too many lies about the case earlier, said Wong.
“She gave several statements to police, half truths and half lies,” Wong said.
Putting her on the witness stand would have “muddied up” the case, he said.
Alm agreed to the terms of the plea agreement, telling Ordonez, “This could be the best thing that’s ever happened to you — going to the women’s facility for a long time-out.”
He urged her to complete drug treatment while incarcerated.
Green said Ordonez still faces criminal problems in federal court.
Authorities there are likely to revoke her supervised release — the federal version of parole — and seek new prison time for her, Green said.
A co-defendant with Ordonez and Lindsey, William Freeman Jr., also appeared before Alm today and was sentenced to an open 10-year prison term. The Hawaii Paroling Authority will meet later to determine how much time Freeman must serve before seeking parole.
Freeman pleaded guilty to kidnapping and hindering prosecution and was the principal prosecution witness during the Lindsey murder trial.
“I apologize for my behavior, my involvement in this crime,” Freeman told Alm.