By JOHN BURNETT
By JOHN BURNETT
Tribune-Herald staff writer
A Kona grand jury returned manslaughter indictments on July 16 in separate cases.
In the first case, 28-year-old Collins Manago and 22-year-old Chevone Estoy-Keka, both of Kailua-Kona, have been charged with manslaughter in the death of their 10-month-old daughter, Samarah Hilinai Sayuri Manago, who died Nov. 26. A police spokeswoman said the girl was left unattended in a bathtub.
Manago and Estoy-Keka were also charged with second-degree reckless endangering for also allegedly leaving their 3-year-old son, Justice Manago, unattended in the tub.
Manslaughter is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Since the indictments state that the victim was younger than 8 years old, neither will be eligible for probation if convicted.
Bench warrants were issued for both, with bail set at $20,000 each.
Manago is currently on probation for a February conviction on a felony domestic abuse charge.
In the second case, 28-year-old Robert William Smith Jr. of Ocean View was charged with manslaughter and negligent homicide for the Aug. 1, 2010, traffic death of 31-year-old Stella Corona.
Police said at the time that Smith, who then lived in Honaunau, was driving a 2007 Honda two-door sedan south on Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 11) when he crossed the centerline and collided with Corona’s northbound 1999 Saturn four-door sedan.
Corona, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene.
Smith was also indicted on two-counts each of second-degree assault and negligent injury for injuries sustained by Corona’s passengers, Monica Ebert and Jamin Margaretich.
Smith, who was 26 at the time of the fatal crash, was also charged with habitual DUI. According to the indictment, he had been convicted three or more times in the previous 10 years for driving under the influence. Police said at the time of the crash that Smith’s license had been suspended or revoked for DUI. Smith was also seriously injured in the collision.
Smith cannot be convicted of both manslaughter and negligent homicide, which is a lesser offense, in Corona’s death; he also cannot be convicted of both assault and negligent injury for the injuries suffered by Corona’s passengers.
Email John Burnett at
jburnett@hawaiitribune-
herald.com.