KEALAKEKUA — The South Korean man who allegedly assaulted two fellow nationals then posted bond and flew back to his home country is no longer charged by the County of Hawaii. ADVERTISING KEALAKEKUA — The South Korean man who allegedly
KEALAKEKUA — The South Korean man who allegedly assaulted two fellow nationals then posted bond and flew back to his home country is no longer charged by the County of Hawaii.
Prosecutors, however, reserve the right to charge Kyoung Sun Yoo, 59, of Yuseong Gu, South Korea, again. He was arrested Jan. 27 after allegedly stabbing a man he found in a room with a woman.
Britt Bailey, the deputy prosecuting attorney on the case, entered an order of nolle prosequi without prejudice March 1, which was granted by Judge Andrew Wilson on March 2. Since the order was without prejudice, the county can resume the case at a future time.
It’s a serious case, said first deputy prosecuting attorney Dale Ross, one where someone was seriously injured.
However, Yoo’s decision to return to South Korea reduces the urgency, she added, and will allow them to continue their investigation, including requested DNA testing.
The initial report said Yoo was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and family abuse after the encounter at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.
A later release said prosecutors and police agreed on the three charges of first-degree assault, first-degree terroristic threatening and family abuse.
The man, who suffered “puncture wounds to his chest and thigh” was treated and released within a week, police spokeswoman Chris Loos said. The woman, who had a “head injury” according to the report, was treated and released within a day.
Loos said they were unable to provide more details because of medical privacy laws.
Attempted murder, the original charge mentioned, is on a legal spectrum with murder on one end and assault on the other. What separates them is the level of injury and intent of the defendant. First-degree assault is a Class B felony and defined as a “person intentionally or knowingly causes serious bodily injury to another person.”
The prosecutor on duty set the total bail at $8,000 on the charges of first-degree assault, first-degree terroristic threatening and family abuse after the initial arrest. Yoo paid the bail and left for South Korea, later telling investigators and his consulate he would not be returning to Hawaii.
His bond was returned to him in light of the charges being dropped.
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.
