LIHUE — A trial date is set for a Kilauea man charged with bail jumping after missing his court date on a kidnapping case. Ray Kuna Harada Jr, 43, appeared before Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Watanabe Monday and pleaded
LIHUE — A trial date is set for a Kilauea man charged with bail jumping after missing his court date on a kidnapping case.
Ray Kuna Harada Jr, 43, appeared before Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Watanabe Monday and pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for March 21.
He is charged with one count of bail jumping in the first degree and one count of contempt of court.
After Deputy Public Defender Samuel Jajich declared a conflict of interest in representing Harada on behalf of his office, defense attorney Mark Zenger stepped in.
Harada was meant to appear in court on Sept. 21 for a jury trial in a case where he is charged with one count of robbery in the first degree and two counts of kidnapping.
When he didn’t show, a bench warrant in the amount of $100,000 was issued.
Zenger represents Harada on another case pending in District Court, which he hopes will come to a resolution with the state.
While Kauai police officers attempted to issue the warrant for Harada’s arrest on the robbery case, Harada allegedly assaulted officers and escaped.
Harada is charged with three counts of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree, escape in the first degree and two counts of resisting arrest.
Zenger said all three cases are part of a planned plea bargain he is working on with the state and another defense attorney.
Bail for Harada in this case is set for $10,000.
