Cop-killer’s associate pleads not guilty

HILO — An associate of cop-killer Justin Waiki pleaded not guilty Thursday to six charges, including first-degree attempted murder.

Jamie Lea Jason, 36, of Pahoa appeared in court for an arraignment Thursday, where she pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted first-degree murder, hindering prosecution, conspiracy to hinder prosecution, illegally carrying a pistol, conspiring with a felon in possession of a handgun, and being an accessory to a felon in possession of a handgun.

Jason was wheelchair-bound at her arraignment, having been shot in the leg during the same shootout that killed Waiki in late July.

Jason allegedly hid with Waiki in the back of a sport-utility vehicle during an islandwide search for the man who shot and killed police officer Bronson Kaliloa on July 17.

The vehicle, occupied by Waiki’s three other alleged accomplices — Jorge Pagan-Torres, Malia Lajala and Krystle Ferreira, all of which have been charged with being accomplices to attempted first-degree murder — was stopped by officers on South Point Road three days after Kaliloa was killed.

After officers opened the back of the vehicle, Waiki emerged from a blanket concealing both himself and Jason and opened fire on officers, injuring one, Sgt. Bryan Tina, who sustained arm and chest wounds and has since been released from the hospital.

Officers returned fire, killing Waiki and possibly striking Jason in the leg, fracturing her femur, although Lajala later claimed it was Waiki who shot Jason.

On Thursday, Jason’s attorney, Patrick Munoz, made a motion to withdraw from the case, because Jason believed that Munoz’s previous representation of Waiki represented a conflict of interest. However, judge Greg Nakamura deferred the matter to be decided by West Hawaii courts, where the remainder of Jason’s case will be held.

Jason also asked to defer all questions regarding bail until she is granted a new attorney. Presently, Jason’s bail is set at $1 million.

Jason’s trial is scheduled to take place Jan. 15, 2019. If convicted of first-degree attempted murder, she faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com