Woman pleads not guilty to 2009 murder

HILO — A Ka‘u woman accused of fatally shooting a 21-year-old Puna woman more than seven years ago pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder Tuesday afternoon.

Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara ordered 54-year-old Patricia Wong, also known as Patricia Hanoa, to appear for trial at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 31.

An indictment returned June 22 by a Hilo grand jury alleges Wong “knowingly or intentionally caused the death” of Kaycee Maile Smith, a former high school rodeo standout for Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama.

Smith was found dead June 23, 2009, in the living room of a rented Orchidland Drive home where she lived alone. A handgun was found at the scene, and an autopsy determined Smith died of a single gunshot wound to the head.

County Prosecutor Mitch Roth told the judge he’s “anticipating four to six weeks” will be needed for trial.

Wong was arrested June 27 in Las Vegas by U.S. Marshals. She was returned to Hilo on Monday and booked at the main police station on the murder charge. Wong gave police a Waiohinu address and was later freed after posting $250,000 bond.

Wong’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Michael Ebesugawa, told Hara he has “no objection at this time” to Wong’s trial being set for Oct. 31.

“Obviously, we do not have any of the discovery or had a chance to speak to Miss Wong in any depth about the case, so we will bring the appropriate motion (to postpone trial) then,” Ebesugawa said.

“My conundrum is this. If I set it later on and it’s a six-week trial, I’m not going to be here at the end of the six weeks, because it started too late,” replied Hara, who is set to retire from the bench at the end of the year.

“We understand that, Your Honor,” Ebesugawa said.

Hara ordered Wong to not to own or possess any firearms and to turn in any firearms or ammunition she may have to police within 48 hours. He also ordered her to have no contact with Smith’s mother, Emma Chong.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.