KEALAKEKUA — The man charged with burning a courthouse will have his case heard by a new judge, possibly from off the island, after a hearing on Wednesday. ADVERTISING KEALAKEKUA — The man charged with burning a courthouse will have
KEALAKEKUA — The man charged with burning a courthouse will have his case heard by a new judge, possibly from off the island, after a hearing on Wednesday.
Kainoa Lindo, 22, of Honaunau, is charged with first-degree arson, conspiracy to commit arson, first-degree criminal property damage, unauthorized control of a motor vehicle and first-degree terroristic threatening for allegedly pouring fuel on the door of the Big Island Drug Court and igniting it.
During the arraignment March 28, Lindo pleaded not guilty.
His bond remained at $400,000, which defense attorney Robert Kim argued should be lowered. He pointed to the family support, Lindo’s full-time job and the possibility of electronic monitoring.
Deputy prosecuting attorney Sheri Lawson said the bond had already been lowered from $800,000 and additional lowering would be inappropriate.
Judge Ronald Ibarra noted that the District Court case related to the night where Randi-Keli Banagan allegedly threatened three teenagers while he was in the truck, remains in District Court.
He maintained the bail.
Ibarra also established that the case will be heard in front of a different judge, albeit in the same courtroom.
He did not specify which judge that would be. Judge Melvin Fujino, whose courtroom and office are in the targeted building, has recused himself.
The jury trial is set for 9 a.m. Aug. 9.
Randi-Keli Banagan, 24, of Captain Cook, faces a similar slate of charges. Her attorney entered a request for a mental health examination, which was granted by Judge Margaret Masunaga. She is scheduled for a mental health hearing on April 20.
