Woman found not guilty in death of child

A not guilty verdict was reached Thursday in the trial of a 47-year-old Waimea woman charged with the 2017 murder of a Waimea toddler.

Chasity Alcosiba-McKenzie was indicted by a Kona grand jury in October 2019 in connection with the death of 3-year-old Fabian Garett-Garcia. She had pleaded not guilty to the single charge of second-degree murder, which is punishable by life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Alcosiba-McKenzie opted for a bench trial, which means there is no jury, and Circuit Court Judge Wendy DeWeese on Thursday decided her fate.

DeWeese said she will file a 48-page document stating the findings of fact and conclusion of law that led to Alcosiba-McKenzie’s acquittal of second-degree murder and the lesser included offense of manslaughter charges.

DeWeese said the law is not about suspicion or speculation, the state must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“No parent should have to loose a child, and it may be easy to place blame, but the state has failed to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” she said.

See Friday’s West Hawaii Today for the full story.