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Latest from Hawaii Legal News

 State v. Bautista (HSC September 13, 2023)

Background. The prosecution filed a complaint in the district
court alleging seven crimes of violence against Rommel Bautista, including
attempted murder in the second degree. All of the charges stemmed from an
incident that occurred between Bautista and his wife in their home in Kahului.
The district

Counterman v. Colorado (SCOTUS June 27, 2023)

Background. Billy Counterman was charged by Colorado
prosecutors for harassment and stalking. For two years, Billy Counterman sent a
local musician hundreds of messages on Facebook. Messages started with “A fine
display with your partner” and a “couple physical sightings” were sent to her. She
never responded. The

 State v. Ibarra (HSC March 15, 2023)

Background. Paola Ibarra was charged with sex trafficking and
kidnapping with a male co-defendant Gustavo Ferreira. At trial, Ibarra and the
complainant testified they flew from Oakland, California to Honolulu on
Halloween. He paid for their airfare and hotel in Waikiki. The complainant
testified that they were

 State v. Vaden (HSC March 15, 2023)

Background. Jonathan Vaden was on probation when he was
prosecuted for five separate criminal cases alleging various drug and property
offenses. After spending several months in jail, Vaden pleaded no contest to
every offense except for a class A drug offense. The parties waived a presentence
(PSI)

 State v. Hewitt (HSC March 15, 2023)

Background. Hawai’i County Officer Chandler Nancio and another officer were
called to the Kona Community Hospital in the middle of the night to see a
possible victim of assault. An unknown man dropped Cyrina Hewitt off at the
emergency room. He found Hewitt awake with contusions on