KEALAKEKUA — Two of the four suspects arrested earlier this week in connection to an August 2015 murder investigation were charged Thursday.
Eber Miranda-Garcia, 27, and brother Marlon, 24, both of Holualoa, were charged with murder in the second degree and conspiracy to commit murder in the second degree. Each of their bail was set at $500,000.
On Thursday, the brothers appeared before District Court Judge Margaret Masunaga for their initial appearance.
Eber and Marlon Miranda-Garcia were taken into custody at a job site in Kawaihae on Monday for the murder of Dolores Borja Valle, also known as Lolo.
Valle’s body was found on a Captain Cook coffee farm on Aug. 9, 2015, where he suffered sharp and blunt force trauma to the head.
At the time of the incident in 2015, Maj. Robert Wagner with Hawaii police, said investigators didn’t have the evidence to obtain warrants to make arrests in the case.
The investigation, among other things, involved DNA evidence.
Marlon Miranda-Garcia was the first to appear before Masunaga. His attorney, Catherine Gibson requested a preliminary hearing date be set within 48 hours and also asked for a reduction in bail from $500,000 to $25,000.
Gibson said this was the 24-year-old’s first offense. He’s employed and had family in the courtroom.
Deputy Prosecutor Sheri Lawson requested bail be maintained due to the nature of the charges.
Masunaga confirmed the bail at $500,000 and set the preliminary hearing for 2 p.m. Monday.
When Eber Miranda-Garcia appeared before Masunaga, Gibson asked that separate counsel be appointed to the defendant because her office was already representing Marlon Miranda-Garcia.
Gibson also requested a bail reduction, stating Eber Miranda-Garcia was working, had family in court.
Lawson requested the brothers’ preliminary hearing be consolidated and objected to a bail reduction.
Masunaga maintained bail on the second brother and set his preliminary hearing for 2 p.m. Monday as well.
A third brother, Himer Miranda-Garcia, 35, turned himself in just after midnight on Tuesday. A girlfriend to one of the brothers, Jessilyn Lokelani Hoohuli, 32, was also arrested in connection to the case on Monday in Kona. However, they were both released pending further investigation.
Himer Miranda-Garcia is currently being detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
