A first degree murder trial got underway Monday in the 2009 point-blank shooting of a woman who had a history of alleged assault by the suspect.
The prosecution says Royal Kaukani’s estranged boyfriend killed her to prevent her from testifying against him in a separate criminal case. The defense says no physical evidence links the man charged to the scene of the crime, and that witnesses described a different person.
Royal Kaukani was shot and killed in her SUV on the afternoon of March 17, 2009 in Ewa Beach. Toi Nofoa is on trial for first degree murder. Opening statements and witness testimony got underway Monday.
"The reason he killed her, she was gonna testify against him in a criminal case," said prosecuting attorney Maurice Arrisgado.
Kaukani had tried to leave a violent relationship with Nofoa which included alleged kidnapping, assault and threatening for which he was arrested previously. The defense says that history weighed too heavily on police and prosecutors in the murder case,
"This is a case about a rush to judgment," said defense attorney Craig Nagamine.
"The minute that the police and prosecuting attorney’s office found out Royal Kaukani had been shot by a man riding a motorcycle, their eyes and the focus of their investigation turned to Mr. Nofoa," Nagamine said.
Witnesses testified a man riding a motorcycle similar to Nofoa’s was seen in the area and entering Kaukani’s vehicle, but his helmet remained on.
"I did observe the male individual enter the vehicle, door closed — passenger door closed," witness Dr. Gary Matsumura. "Did not see anything from that point until I heard the second what I though thought be either gunshot or some type of popping."
Witnesses described the individual in police reports as having a slim build and being between 5’6 and more than 6 feet tall.
"none of the physical and scientific evidence recovered from the scene of the crime links mr nofoa to the shooting," Nagamine says.
Eye witness testimony describes clothing and helmet details similar to those police found when they arrested Nofoa seven hours after the shooting at a relative’s home in Waimanalo.
If convicted Nofoa faces life in prison without parole.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
