Awaiting appeal, warrant issued for Waimea man on unrelated charge

KEALAKEKUA — In an unrelated charge, a bench warrant was issued for a Waimea man who is currently awaiting appeal on an attempted murder conviction.

On Thursday morning, District Court Judge Margaret Masunaga called Joel White, who was scheduled for an arraignment and plea on a charge of second-degree terroristic threatening. Since he was not present in the courtroom, she issued a $150 bench warrant.

White has been waiting for the appellate court to rule on granting a new trial after 3rd Circuit Court Judge Ronald Ibarra ruled against the jury’s decision in 2015.

White has been out on bail since 2014 when he was first charged in the stabbing of Jeremy Nicholas at a Waikoloa residence. After a weeklong trial, Ibarra determined instructions given to the jury were insufficient and overturned its ruling. The prosecutor’s office is appealing that decision.

In January, White was brought into custody on a $10,000 bench warrant for violating the conditions of his bail by committing a crime.

The alleged violation stems from a July 29, 2017, incident. During January’s hearing before 3rd Circuit Court Judge Robert D.S. Kim, witnesses were called in to testify about what happened that night.

After hearing testimony from witnesses and arguments from counsel, Kim ruled to deny the motion to revoke release on bail.

Kim said he didn’t find clear and convincing evidence in the testimonies presented, as there was conflicting evidence.

During the 2015 weeklong trial before Ibarra, witnesses testified Nicholas was stabbed five times in the back in Nicholas’ Waikoloa home in April 2014 and received a cut to his throat. Harrison said White acted in self-defense.