A Kailua-Kona man facing multiple counts of murder and attempted murder in connection with stabbings in Hilo and Kona in 2022 has changed his plea to guilty.
Chito Asuncion, 24, was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder and two counts each of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder in connection with the stabbing deaths of 63-year-old Brian Macaulay and 48-year-old Boyd Maygra and the nonfatal stabbings of two others.
In November, court proceedings were suspended when a mental evaluation was ordered.
Asuncion was found fit and a trial date was set for Oct. 31. However, a plea agreement was reached with prosecutors on Aug. 28 and he pled guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of the lesser charge of first-degree assault, with the first-degree murder charges dropped.
Asuncion was arrested June 7, 2022, in Kailua-Kona after Hawaii Police Department investigators identified the 24-year-old as a suspect in the murder of Maygra, whose body was found around 6 a.m. that morning at Hale Halawai Park in Kailua Village. Police said Maygra suffered multiple stab wounds.
While conducting the investigation into Maygra’s slaying, detectives linked Asuncion to three other crimes, including the alleged murder of Macaulay on May 17, 2022.
Macaulay’s body was found behind the Kailua-Kona Post Office, near the Palani Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway intersection. Police said Macaulay was also stabbed to death.
Asuncion is also accused of two stabbings in May in Hilo.
The first Hilo incident was reported May 25, 2022, by a 59-year-old Hilo man, who reported being stabbed by an unknown male party. The victim was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries and later released.
The second Hilo stabbing occurred May 30, 2022. That incident involved the assault of a 70-year-old Hilo woman, who also reported being stabbed by an unknown individual. She was also transported to the Hilo Medical Center for treatment.
Asuncion has been held without bail at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
With the plea agreement, Asuncion faces the maximum sentence of life behind bars with the possibility of parole for each of the second-degree murder charges. The first-degree assault charges are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Sentencing is set for Nov. 20, when Judge Robert D.S. Kim will determine if the sentences will run consecutively or concurrently.
