honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, February 26, 2010

Lahaina man's 5-year term 'last shot' at turning around

Advertiser Staff

A Lahaina man who was on probation when he participated in a burglary and assault last year was sentenced Wednesday to a five-year prison term, the Maui News reported.

Jairus Biga, 24, could have faced a longer prison sentence if not for a plea agreement reducing a first-degree burglary charge, 2nd Circuit Judge Joel August said.

"This is probably your last shot at not spending much of the rest of your life in prison," August told Biga. "Many of your decisions have been incredibly self-destructive and have harmed others. You have to decide how you can become a contributing member of society and role model for your kids."

Biga had pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of second-degree burglary, as well as attempted second-degree assault and third-degree assault in the July 1 incident.

According to police, Biga responded to a call from acquaintance Brian Johnson, who asked Biga to confront Isreal Irvine about broken windows on Johnson's van. While Johnson waited outside, Biga and two others broke and removed jalousies to enter through a bedroom window of a cottage on Wahikuli Road in Lahaina where Irvine lived, according to police.

Irvine was struck in the head and kicked in the body.

Police said the suspects also attempted to steal Irvine's moped, which was damaged.

As part of his sentence, Biga was ordered to pay $700 in restitution along with co-defendants Johnson, 36, and Kingston Lindsey, 19.