The only suspect in the bludgeoning death of an 81-year-old Canadian tourist in Waikiki last year will remain behind bars for a burglary committed six hours after the murder, the city prosecutor's office said. Hauge found guilty
in burglaryThe lone suspect in the beating death
of a tourist is convicted in a different caseBy Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.comA Circuit Court jury took less than 15 minutes yesterday to convict Steven Michael Hauge of first-degree burglary, which occurred at 7 a.m. Jan. 23, 2001, at the Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki, 175 Paoakalani Ave.
Hauge left his bloodstains in the hotel room he broke into after he used a broken water glass to slit open suitcases and steal cash and a camcorder, Deputy Prosecutor Russell Uehara said.
The blood was found to be a perfect match with Hauge's DNA, Uehara said.
Uehara said police are continuing to investigate the murder of Norman Chaplan, the Canadian visitor who had checked into the nearby Ohana Waikiki West hotel before being beaten on the head with a rock at 1:30 a.m. in the lobby bathroom and robbed of his wallet. Chaplan died two days later.
Although Hauge was never charged in the murder case, Uehara said with the burglary conviction, "at least for the near future, we know where he's going to be."
Hauge is in custody, and prosecutors also will seek to increase bail to $250,000.
He faces a 10-year prison term for the burglary conviction, but prosecutors will seek an extended term at sentencing.
Police arrested Hauge in a second burglary case, which occurred in October 2000. But he was acquitted of that burglary since the victim, whom he allegedly bound and gagged, was an acquaintance who was going to do drugs with him, Uehara said.
The jury only knew the victim had lied about having a knife to his throat, but never learned he passed a polygraph as to the details of the burglary, Uehara said.
Hauge has 46 prior convictions and nine felony convictions for theft, assault and forgery, Uehara said.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 2.