1997 drive-by shooting
not meant to kill,
defense says

By Susan Kreifels
Star-Bulletin

Dean Mara shot at two people in a car at point-blank range and with the intent to kill, a prosecution attorney says.

But the defense argues Mara didn't shoot to kill, but only to protect himself against an alleged drug dealer who had threatened to hurt him and members of his family.

Attorneys yesterday gave closing arguments in the trial of Mara, who is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and two firearms violations stemming from a Jan. 15, 1997, drive-by shooting that killed Stella K. Jensen, 39.

Jensen had stopped to make a telephone call at Yuen Grocery on Farrington Highway in Nanakuli and was getting into a car driven by a friend, Gegham "Gary" Akopian, when she was struck by a bullet in the head.

Deputy Prosecutor Barry Kemp said the word on the street was Akopian was out to get the defendant, and that Mara was trying to get Akopian first. "Mr. Mara, on the evening of the shooting, had every motivation to kill," Kemp said.

Mara told investigators that he felt responsible for Jensen's death, Kemp said.

Deputy Public Defender William Jameson said Mara had allegedly taken off with some of Akopian's property. Jameson said Akopian was a drug dealer who couldn't afford to "have a punk like Dean Mara" rip him off.

Akopian threatened Mara and his family members, Jameson said.

Mara, a passenger in a car that passed by the grocery, told the driver to make a U-turn in order to speak with Akopian.

Jameson said Mara thought Akopian was reaching for a gun. But Kemp said Mara told investigators he never saw a gun in Akopian's hand.