The Court granted Prosecutors’ motion to deny bail for 36-year-old Jacob Baker of Puna who was arrested and charged in connection with three Puna homicides and a series of criminal property crime offenses.

Yesterday, Baker made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon.where the court determined that Baker be held without bail and granted defense counsel’s request for an examination of fitness to proceed and penal responsibility. Baker was ordered to return on for a status hearing on the examination on August 11.

As the first Complaint alleges, Baker is charged with Murder in the First Degree (intentionally or knowingly caused the death of more than one person in the same or separate incidents) and three counts of Murder in the Second Degree (intentionally or knowingly caused the death of another person).

As the second Complaint alleges, Baker is charged with Burglary in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree, Unauthorized Control of Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, Unauthorized Entry Into a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, Theft in the Fourth Degree, and two counts of Criminal Property Damage in the Fourth Degree. Murder in the First Degree carries a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole. As to the Murder in the Second Degree offenses.

Baker is also subject to a potential penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole for each charge as Prosecutors have provided notice of an intention to seek an enhanced sentence pursuant to Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (“HRS”) Section 706-657 and an extended term of imprisonment pursuant to HRS Section 706-662.

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