Prosecutors have filed a motion to deny bail for 24 year-old Chito K. Asuncion of Kona who was charged in relation to two separate murder and two separate attempted murder incidents.

As the Complaint alleges, Asuncion was charged with two counts of Murder in the Second Degree (intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another person), two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (intentionally engaged in conduct, which under the circumstances as he believed them to be, constituted a substantial step in a course of conduct intended or known to be certain by him to cause the death of another person), and a single count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree (intentionally engaged in conduct, which under the circumstances as he believed them to be, constituted a substantial step in a course of conduct intended or known to be certain by him to cause the death of more than one person in the same or separate incidents).

Attempted Murder in the First Degree carries a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Murder in the Second Degree carries a penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Yesterday Asuncion made his initial appearance in Kona District Court.  The Court maintained his bail at $1,500,000.00, ordered him to appear for his preliminary hearing on Monday in Kona District Court, and deferred ruling on the Prosecutors’ motion until Monday’s preliminary hearing.

The investigations were initiated by Kona and South Hilo Patrol, and the felony investigation was handled by Detective Tyler Prokopec, Area II Criminal Investigation Section, and members of the Area I and II Criminal Investigation Sections, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

Photo credit: HPD Photo