KAILUA-KONA — Opening arguments are slated to begin today in the jury trial of two brothers accused in the murder of a Holualoa man three years ago.
Eber Miranda-Garcia and Marlon Miranda-Garcia pleaded not guilty in 3rd Circuit Court on Sept. 7, 2017, to charges of second-degree murder and second-degree conspiracy to commit murder. They are accused of killing 69-year-old Dolores Borja-Valle, also known as Lolo, who was found dead Aug. 9, 2015, in a Captain Cook coffee field.
Second-degree murder carries a life sentence with the possibility of parole and a maximum fine of up to $50,000 upon conviction, according to Hawaii Revised Statutes.
Third Circuit Court Judge Robert D.S. Kim spent last week screening hundreds of Hawaii County residents called for jury duty in the trial. On Friday, 12 jurors and four alternates were selected.
While the crime occurred in 2015, Hawaii Police officials say, they didn’t get a break in the investigation until two years later after obtaining DNA results from the reported crime.
In June 2017, the brothers were arrested and charged. A third brother, Himer Miranda-Garcia turned himself into authorities and Eber’s wife, Jessilyn Lokelani Hoohuli, was also arrested but released pending further investigation.
Himer Miranda-Garcia was released and was turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Deputy Prosecutor Sheri Lawson is prosecuting the case on behalf of the state.
Deputy Public Defender Wendy DeWeese is representing Marlon Miranda-Garcia in the trial. Attorney Terri Fujioka-Lilley is representing Eber.
Both men have remained in custody since their arrest in lieu of $500,000 bail.