By JOHN BURNETT
By JOHN BURNETT
Tribune-Herald staff writer
A 33-year-old Keaau man will face trial for manslaughter for allegedly killing his 2-month-old son nine years ago in Ka’u.
Gilbert Gajete Dancel Jr. pleaded not guilty to the charge Tuesday in Kona Circuit Court. Judge Ronald Ibarra set trial for Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. Dancel was indicted by a Kona grand jury last month in connection with the March 24, 2003, death of Kaikela Medeiros-Dancel. According to a police statement at the time, an autopsy found that Medeiros-Dancel died of “abusive head trauma.” Dancel, who then lived in Kahuku, had called 911 from home to summon emergency help and told a dispatcher the infant was having trouble breathing. The boy died later at Ka’u Hospital.
Police initially investigated the case as a coroner’s inquest, but reclassified it to a manslaughter investigation after an autopsy indicated the boy died of abuse, according to police.
Dancel turned himself in at the Hilo police station Saturday on a bench warrant issued following the indictment. He was released from custody after posting $20,000 bail.
County Prosecutor Charlene Iboshi would not go into specifics of the case on Thursday, but said there were some “problems” that prevented prosecution until recently.
“Many times, things are not clear in the beginning; factually things have to be developed, meaning followed up on,” she said. “In this case, one of the main investigators passed away, so some of the (investigative work) had to be redone.”
Police Capt. Chad Basque of the Kona Criminal Investigations Section told Stephens Media last month that the case was referred to prosecutors in 2005. He said that in early 2011 prosecutors requested that police conduct a follow-up investigation and advise Dancel of his rights. After doing so, police returned the case to prosecutors in May last year, he said.
Iboshi noted that this month is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“It’s unfortunate that we have these things that happen in our community, but he’s innocent until proven guilty, so he’ll have his day in court,” she said.
Manslaughter is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.