Alleged arsonist fit to proceed: Banagan’s trials set for December

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KAILUA-KONA — The Captain Cook woman accused of convincing a man to burn a courthouse and threatening three teenagers in a separate incident is being held without bond.

KAILUA-KONA — The Captain Cook woman accused of convincing a man to burn a courthouse and threatening three teenagers in a separate incident is being held without bond.

Randi-Keli Banagan, 24, is charged with first-degree arson, conspiracy to commit first-degree arson and two counts of terroristic threatening stemming from the March 3 fire. She is charged with two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening for the second incident.

Banagan’s attorney, James Biven, had moved to have Banagan’s mental health reviewed on April 21. District Judge Margaret Masunaga, who was over the case, granted the motion.

All three doctors found Banagan fit to proceed with the trial, and Maui Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo agreed the case could continue. All Big Island judges have recused themselves from the case.

Deputy prosecuting attorney Sheri Lawson asked that Banagan be held without bond. Biven moved that the combined $1 million bond was too high and asked that it be reviewed.

Loo agreed with the state and set new dates for Banagan’s trials. She is set to stand trial for the arson case on Dec. 6 and the terroristic threatening on Dec. 12.

The state has moved to revoke her probation in her older cases, which included a hearing the day she allegedly encouraged Kainoa Lindo to burn the courthouse. Lindo’s cases continue on their own.

She allegedly threatened three teens March 13 at the scenic lookout off Kamehameha III Road in Keauhou.

Loo moved those hearing dates until Dec. 13.