Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Bail raised for
suspect in birthday
party killing

---

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

A state judge has reconsidered a decision to reduce bail for an 18-year-old man suspected of shooting a man to death during a brawl at a birthday party in Ewa.

Judge Michael Town yesterday increased bail for Joel Keoni Brunson to $50,000 and ordered him to home detention and mandatory electronic monitoring. Town also moved Brunson's trial date to Nov. 6.

Brunson allegedly shot Robert Rodemio to death May 20.

A week ago, Town reduced Brunson's bail to $20,000 from $125,000 at the defense's request based on representations that he made straight As and was on the principal's list at Campbell High during the 1999-2000 school year.

Prosecutors who opposed bail reduction because it would let Brunson go home to Ewa, where many witnesses live, did not sign the order reducing bail and instead filed a motion to revoke bail and have him held on no bail.

In reconsidering his decision, Town said more complete records showed Brunson "was not an A student, but out of school" for parts of the last school year. And although Brunson's last contact with the law was an arrest five years ago for carrying brass knuckles, the charge he currently faces is "a very serious crime."

Deputy Prosecutor Franklin Pacarro argued yesterday that witnesses are reluctant to get involved for fear of intimidation by members of Brunson's family or friends. School officials are concerned enough that they will not allow Brunson on campus, and will recommend that he be home tutored while awaiting trial. Pacarro noted the firearm used in the slaying has not been found.

Defense attorney Myles Breiner argued that his client is not a threat to any witness. The alleged threats are innuendos and hearsay, and no one has come forward to say they have been approached by any of Brunson's family or friends, he said.