LIHU‘E — Following a three-day trial and nearly two days of deliberation, a 12-person jury cleared Carrie Ann Robson Monday morning of three of four charges, including second-degree attempted murder. But that doesn’t mean freedom yet for 40-year-old Robson. Because
LIHU‘E — Following a three-day trial and nearly two days of deliberation, a 12-person jury cleared Carrie Ann Robson Monday morning of three of four charges, including second-degree attempted murder.
But that doesn’t mean freedom yet for 40-year-old Robson.
Because the jury could not reach a unanimous decision on one of two first-degree terroristic threatening charges, Robson will remain at Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center while she awaits another trial to begin June 20, said Prosecutor Melinda Mendes.
Fifth Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano will oversee the second trial as he did the first but a new jury will hear the case.
“We respect the jury’s decision,” Mendes said after the verdict.
Robson originally faced the attempted murder charge, as well as second-degree assault and the two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, stemming from a Dec. 19 pre-holiday shindig at the Hanalei Pavilion.
That night, “pavilionaire” Patrick Craig got into a scuffle with Robson, who he said is known as “Crazie Carrie.” He testified that she threatened him with a machete after he refused to share beer and weed with her, and then rammed him in the back with her pick-up truck after he took the blade. Craig said the collision caused him to break his left wrist.
The terroristic threatening count stemming from the machete is all that remains of the original charges.
During the trial, public defender Christian Enright called witness Thomas Downey, who discounted Craig’s testimony by calling the homeless man a liar.
Craig also testified that he had 18 beers that day, along with half a marijuana joint and tea made from hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Mendes noted that while Robson faced second-degree attempted murder, she asked that the jury find the Kilauea woman guilty of first-degree assault during closing arguments. The jury was presented with a number of lesser included charges on the count ranging from first- to third-degree assault, but could not find her guilty of any.
“The court is required to give all included offenses if there is a scintilla of evidence on those offenses,” Mendes said.
Enright said he expects Robson’s bail to be reduced significantly from $100,000 — relating to the old charges — and noted that the trial will go forward if the prosecutor is not inclined to settle.
Either way, his client was pleased with the result.
“Carrie’s very happy,” Enright said.
Robson’s mother, Patricia Whitfield, was upset to learn that her daughter will likely stand for another trial.
Last week, Whitfield described her daughter as a sweet person and a humanitarian, who often helps people with their vehicles.
“I feel that this is a terrible misjustice and also a waste of the taxpayers’ money,” Whitfield said. “My daughter is absolutely innocent of this charge.”
