June trial set for suspected Waiki associates

KAILUA-KONA — A Jury trial is scheduled to move forward next month for four associates of accused cop killer Justin Waiki.

Jamie Jason, Krystle Ferreira, Malia Lajala and Jorge Pagan-Torres are slated to appear for trial on June 25 in Kona’s 3rd Circuit Court.

The four individuals are accused of assisting Waiki while he was on the lam from authorities over the summer after reportedly shooting and killing Hawaii Police Officer Bronson Kaliloa in Mountain View on July 17, 2018.

Jason along with Ferreira, Lajala and Pagan-Torres were with Waiki the day he was caught by officers on July 20. They were traveling together on South Point Road when they were stopped at a police checkpoint.

During a search of the vehicle, Waiki was found hiding in the back with Jason. After he shot at officers, police returned fire. He died from gunshots. Jason also suffered a gunshot wound and one officer was injured.

The Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office indicted seven people in connection to the case. Along with Jason, Ferreira, Pagan-Torres and Lajala, the state indicted Mokihana Veincent, Kyle Brende and Taumi Carr.

All seven individuals face charges of hindering prosecution. Lajala, Ferreira, Jason and Pagan-Torres were also charged with attempting first-degree attempted murder.

Deputy Prosecutor Kauanoe Jackson said Veincent, Brende and Carr will be tried each independently.

Carr is scheduled to go to trial on Aug. 20 and Veincent and Brende are slated for Aug. 6. However, Jackson suspects those dates for Veincent and Brende will change.

Through the course of the hearings since the suspects’ arrests, bail has been reduced for all individuals. Originally set at $500,000, Brende’s bail was reduced, and he is currently out on $10,000 bail.

Ferreira is also out on $25,000 bail. Originally set at $1 million – Jackson said it was ultimately reduced, as she is a first-time offender.

Carr was also granted $25,000 bail from $500,000. However, she violated the terms of her release when she didn’t show up to court. As of Friday, she is not in custody.

Jason, Lajala, Veincent and Pagan-Torres are still in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald