LIHUE — The preliminary hearing for the Lihue man charged with the murder of Gary Allen Allianic Jr. was continued to next week after his attorney asked for more time to review additional discovery evidence. Francisco Keola Manuel, 37, waived
LIHUE — The preliminary hearing for the Lihue man charged with the murder of Gary Allen Allianic Jr. was continued to next week after his attorney asked for more time to review additional discovery evidence.
Francisco Keola Manuel, 37, waived his right on Thursday to require the state to begin his preliminary hearing at the Kauai County courthouse.
Mark Zenger, Manuel’s defense attorney who was appointed by the judge after the public defender’s office declared a conflict of interest, said he received a police report and other documents from the state just moments prior to the hearing.
Three witnesses for the state were ordered to return for the preliminary hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday. The witnesses include Detective Anthony Morita, Dr. Alvin Omori and Manuel’s girlfriend, Jasmine Duque.
Manuel is charged with the murder of Allianic Jr., 38, and assaulting Duque. Duque has said that Manuel and Allianic got in a fight the night of Sept. 25 and at some point a knife was brandished and she was stabbed.
Allianic Jr.’s body was found early Saturday near Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall by a Garden Island newspaper carrier. Police believe he died from injuries sustained in an assault.
As of Thursday, the cause of death had not been determined by the medical examiner, said county spokeswoman, Sarah Blane.
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Michelle Iracheta, cops and courts reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or miracheta@thegardenisland.com. Follow Michelle on Twitter @cephira
