Final man sentenced
in North Shore murders

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By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.com

The second of two men charged with hindering prosecution in the disappearance and murders of two North Shore men in 1997 was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

Wandall Homalon, 34, pleaded guilty earlier to one count of hindering prosecution under a plea agreement in connection with the deaths of Tranquilino Bati Jr. and Steven Tozon.

His sentencing caps the prosecution of four murders on the North Shore in 1997 that were linked to the drug activities of former prison guard Styran Rivera.

Rivera is serving two consecutive life terms as an accomplice in two of the slayings, including of Tozon. Benjamin Tandal Jr., a member of Rivera's ring, was sentenced to life with parole for shooting Bati and Tozon at Rivera's Waialua home. Rivera's brother-in-law, Edward Vidal, is serving a life term for shooting Paris France, who allegedly was talking about the murders of Bati and Tozon.

The bodies of Bati and Tozon were buried in an undisclosed location, later dug up and dumped in waters off Haleiwa. Their bodies have never been recovered.

France's remains, as well as the remains of another missing man, John Wailehua-Hansen, were subsequently recovered.

Wailehua-Hansen was last known to have been at Rivera's home to do some repairs. Gregory Peregil is serving a life term with parole for Wailehua-Hansen's slaying but contended Rivera manipulated him into believing Wailehua-Hansen was out to get him.