Kalihi man faces life term
for murdering wife in 2001

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By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.com

A Kalihi man faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after a Circuit Court jury found him guilty of second-degree murder yesterday for stabbing his wife to death in September 2001.

The defense did not dispute that Florencio Garperio, 54, killed his wife, Mercy, but argued that he was under extreme mental and emotional distress at the time and should be found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Garperio testified that he was worried about the family finances after he lost his job shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He also testified that his wife constantly nagged him about being unable to find another job. He said he believed his wife was cheating on him and was possibly pregnant from their next-door neighbor, although he had no proof.

During questioning by his lawyer Dale Bennett, Garperio said he had no recollection of stabbing his wife and did not know he was responsible until he returned home to the scene later that day and was arrested.

Senior Deputy Prosecutor Maurice Arrisgado said the verdict means justice for Mercy Garperio and her three children, two of whom witnessed their mother being stabbed.

"It sends a clear message to our community that you can't kill your spouse or loved one and say, 'I blacked out,' and expect to get a break," Arrisgado said.

There was no evidence that Mercy Garperio was cheating on her husband or was pregnant, he said.

Arrisgado said the extreme mental and emotional disturbance defense is reserved for special circumstances, and apparently the jury did not believe this was one of them.

"This is really a tragic case. He was like many of us who come from other countries with hopes of a better life, and it ends up this way," Arrisgado said.

Family members had described Garperio as a nice guy who enjoyed singing. He had received a college degree in marine sciences in the Philippines but, after arrived in Hawaii in 1987, was only able to find jobs on cruise ships as a laundry man or food service worker.

Bennett could not be reached for comment. Sentencing is set for April 30.