KEALAKEKUA — A man who stabbed two women, leaving one with life-threatening injuries, acted in self-defense in a fight last year in Waikoloa, Judge Ronald Ibarra ruled Monday.
KEALAKEKUA — A man who stabbed two women, leaving one with life-threatening injuries, acted in self-defense in a fight last year in Waikoloa, Judge Ronald Ibarra ruled Monday.
Aaron S. Nakamoto, 34, was facing attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and disorderly conduct charges. Nakamoto waived his right to a jury trial, so the case was heard directly by Ibarra, who said Nakamoto acted in self-defense using a knife after being caught off guard by multiple assailants.
It was a “tough trial and a just result,” Robert Kim, Nakamoto’s defense attorney, said afterward about the ruling, calling it a difficult case as the two assailants were women, where it would have been easier if the two assailants had been men.
During the trial, witnesses said there was a dispute between Nakamoto at the bar at Pueo’s Osteria with Hanna Luepkes, who was there with her friend, Carly Ann Sugimoto.
The women left, went shopping, but Luepkes decided to return to find out what Nakamoto’s problem was with the females, Luepkes testified.
While Luepkes punched Nakamoto, whether she broke his nose was disputed at trial.
However, Ibarra’s analysis of the testimony was that Luepkes ran up and punched Nakamoto in the face. Ibarra’s verdict included a discussion of self-defense, where a “reasonable person” with the same information as the defendant would think deadly force was necessary.
He found that the poor lighting, sudden nature of the attack and multiple assailants made Nakamoto’s use of a knife a legitimate form of self-defense.
When the judge read the verdict, there was gasping from the women’s families and tears came from Nakamoto. One man was so upset he got up and left the courtroom.
Kim said Nakamoto expressed his appreciation for the verdict.
Deputy prosecuting attorney Kauanoe Jackson said afterward there were no plans for additional court action. She had no further comment.
The injuries to the women included partial paralysis to Luepkes’s face and a near-severing of the carotid artery, the treating doctor testified.
Sugimoto also suffered injuries that required two layers of stitches.
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.