HILO — Trial has been set for a 42-year-old Kona man charged with shooting his nephew to death during a dispute with another man last month in Hilo. ADVERTISING HILO — Trial has been set for a 42-year-old Kona man
HILO — Trial has been set for a 42-year-old Kona man charged with shooting his nephew to death during a dispute with another man last month in Hilo.
Valentine Kapiolani Gonsalves Jr. pleaded not guilty Friday to second-degree murder, reckless endangering and two firearms offenses. Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura ordered him to appear for trial at 9 a.m. June 20.
Gonsalves is accused of fatally shooting his 25-year-old nephew, Keith Nakoa Gonsalves of Hilo, on Jan. 4, while the younger Gonsalves was arguing with 47-year-old Naea Lindsey outside Lindsey’s Alaloa Road home.
According to court documents filed by police, the Gonsalveses and Lindsey’s daughter, Keolani Familar, arrived that night at about 11:45 p.m. at Lindsey’s Waiakea Uka residence in a silver sport-utility vehicle.
Lindsey reportedly told officers he got into a verbal argument with Keith Gonsalves, who was driving. Lindsey told police he saw the vehicle move, and that a man in the back seat fired a single gunshot. He then saw Keith Gonsalves’ body go limp.
Documents state Familar told police it was Valentine Gonsalves who fired the shot.
Lindsey told a Honolulu TV news outlet he thinks the bullet was intended for him instead of Keith Gonsalves.
Police responded to the scene, but the SUV was gone. Police found it the next morning on Saddle Road, abandoned and parked against the flow of traffic near mile marker 27. Keith Gonsalves’ body was inside.
Valentine Gonsalves remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $506,000 bail.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
