A Hawaiian Ocean View Estates man has been charged with second-degree murder for the 2006 death of his wife.
A Hawaiian Ocean View Estates man has been charged with second-degree murder for the 2006 death of his wife.
Police arrested Daniel DeJarnette, 59, Monday, after a grand jury indicted him on the charge, stemming from the Nov. 12, 2006, death of Yu DeJarnette, 56. Daniel DeJarnette reported finding his wife on a lava embankment following an accident.
An investigation at the time showed Yu DeJarnette died of extensive head injuries not consistent with a fall, and the case was classified as a homicide. Prosecuting attorneys consulted with detectives and released Daniel DeJarnette, after keeping him in police custody until Nov. 14, 2006.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Linda Walton said the case was transferred from Hilo to Kona in late 2011. She took over the case in January and, with an investigator, began reviewing the evidence. She ordered several new DNA tests, and based on the results of those tests, took the case to the grand jury on Monday.
She said she did not know why the case was sent from Hilo to Kona last year. A number of Ka‘u cases were transferred to 3rd Circuit Court Judge Ronald Ibarra two or three years ago, when Ibarra began hearing cases originating in that district, Walton said.
A message left for Prosecuting Attorney Charlene Iboshi was not immediately returned Tuesday. Police did not respond to a request for additional information Tuesday evening.
DeJarnette’s trial has been set for Oct. 30, Walton said.
Police said DeJarnette’s bail was set at $200,000.