Bail was maintained at $300,000 Tuesday for a 65-year-old California man accused of attempted murder and other offenses stemming from a Thursday night stabbing within Waikoloa Beach Resort.
Richard Lopez, of San Pedro, California, made his initial appearance Tuesday in District Court in Kailua-Kona before Judge Joanna Sokolow. He is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and abuse of a family or household member.
During the hearing, Public Defender Frederick Macipinlac indicated that Lopez may be hiring a private attorney. He then requested that the preliminary hearing be held later this month despite penal rules requiring a person unable to post bail have hearing within 48 hours of their initial court appearance. After Lopez waived that right, Sokolow set the preliminary hearing for Sept. 15.
The judge also considered an oral motion by Macipinlac to reduce Lopez’s bail, as well as to conduct an updated bail study. Prosecutors requested bail be maintained at $300,000. Sokolow ultimately ordered the bail study, but maintained bail at $300,000.
Lopez was charged Saturday evening after police were sent to the Waikoloa Beach Marriot Resort Thursday night to a report of a stabbing amid a domestic incident within one of the guest rooms in the 69-200 block of Waikoloa Beach Drive.
Responding officers reported finding a woman with “numerous injuries” that were described as “life threatening,” as well as Lopez, who also had visible injuries. Both were taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital for treatment. Lopez was arrested upon his release from the hospital Friday morning.
According to prosecutors, Lopez is alleged to have stabbed and slashed his 64 year-old girlfriend numerous times to her face and neck.
Prosecutors in the written complaint informed the court they plan to pursue enhanced sentencing as the victim was over age 60.
Upon conviction, second-degree attempted murder is punishable by life imprisonment with possibility of parole. The minimum length of imprisonment shall be determined by the Hawaii Paroling Authority. With enhanced sentencing, Lopez would be required to serve no less than 15 years behind bars.