Three separate trials scheduled for Monday were continued to August and September, according to Kauai County Prosecuting Attorney Craig De Costa. In one, 23-year-old Arial Star, known as “Oki,” stands accused of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault in connection
Three separate trials scheduled for Monday were continued to August and September, according to Kauai County Prosecuting Attorney Craig De Costa.
In one, 23-year-old Arial Star, known as “Oki,” stands accused of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault in connection with a May 16 stabbing incident in Hanalei’s Ching Young Village.
In the May 21 preliminary hearing, Patrick Coan testified that he had attempted to wrestle a “three- to four-inch blade on a folding knife with a matte black finish” away from Star, and only in the aftermath did he realize that his arm had been “opened up inside the left elbow” and that his “whole body was covered in blood.”
Star formally pleaded not guilty on June 3.
Circuit Court records confirm that the jury trial was postponed Monday to Sept. 15 due to defense attorney Warren Perry’s request.
De Costa, who did not object, said the delay will allow both prosecutors and defense attorneys to continue their discovery of evidence.
Star remains in custody with bail set at $500,000.
A second case features Kekaha resident and Polynesian Kingdom of Atooi leader Dayne Gonsalves, who is charged with simple trespassing, obstructing, disorderly conduct and obstructing government operations in connection with an Aug. 26, 2007, Superferry protest.
A fifth charge of impersonating an officer was tacked on when he allegedly presented a law enforcement badge upon his Oct. 23, 2007, arrest for the earlier acts.
On Monday, according to Circuit Court records, Public Defender Dena Renti Cruz formally withdrew as Gonsalves’ counsel.
The defendant has contracted local law firm Hempey and Myers and will face jury trial on Sept. 15.
In a third case, Brandon Gayagas stands accused of second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, reportedly cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from a 2006 arrest.
On Monday, Public Defender John Calma withdrew from the case, which was postponed despite De Costa’s objection, according to Circuit Court records.
Gayagas was ordered to return to court on Aug. 4 with a new attorney. Should he be unable to procure one, he will have to explain to Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe the process by which he conducted his search, De Costa said.
A new trial date will be set at that time.
