Abuse gets probation with jail

LIHU‘E — A Kekaha man was sentenced Thursday in 5th Circuit Court to two years probation for beating his ex-woman-friend.

Michael Kalani Koerte, 28, of Kekaha, was arrested Sept. 6, 2011 on two counts of abuse of family or household member that had allegedly occurred on Aug. 2. He changed his plea to no contest on April 10, and in exchange the state dropped the second charge in a separate case.

“I am sorry for what I have done. I have learned from my mistakes. It won’t happen again,” Koerte told the court.

State Deputy Public Defender John Calma said Koerte has no prior record and has a full-time job. He said the relationship between Koerte and his woman-friend has ended and that they will arrange their contact accordingly to share custody of a child.

County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gary Nelson said he concurred that the lack of a public record works to the benefit of the defendant, but that he was troubled by comments Koerte made in the police and pre-sentencing report. 

He attempted to blame the victim for his abuse, and shows no remorse, Nelson said.

Chief Judge Randal Valenciano said he agreed with the assessment of the report, and noted statements that show the Koerte believed the victim had deserved what he had done. That abuse is bad, and the attitude is worse, Valenciano said. 

Uncorrected, it would likely result in repeat offenses, he added.

The judge sentenced probation with four-days jail. He also ordered Koerte to complete a domestic violence intervention course.