Motta denied request
to attend fund-raiser

Ethan Motta: A fund-raiser will attempt to defray his legal costs and $1 million bail

Accused gunman Ethan Motta will not be making an appearance at an event planned tomorrow in Hilo for his benefit.

Circuit Judge Michael Town denied Motta's request yesterday to attend the fund-raiser at the Nani Mau Gardens, siding with prosecutors who called the request "grossly inappropriate."

Todd Eddins, Motta's attorney, said the benefit was to raise money to help defray his client's legal expenses and help his in-laws, who posted a $1 million bond so he can remain free while awaiting trial. The trial is scheduled for January.

Motta is one of three defendants charged in the January double-murder at the Pali Golf Course and the only one of the three free on bail. Co-defendants Rodney Joseph Jr. and Kevin Gonsalves have been in custody since their arrests after the court rejected their release early on.

According to the intake service center, which monitors pretrial releases, Motta has been complying with the terms of his release, and he would not do anything to jeopardize it, Eddins said.

Motta wants to attend so he can express his gratitude to those attending and supporting him, Eddins said, adding that there will be many present who can ensure he does not drink or get into trouble.

But Deputy Prosecutor Lucianne Khalaf strongly objected to the request, saying the event could create problems similar to what happened at a wedding in Keaukaha several months ago that Motta attended.

At that event, he violated curfew and got into a confrontation with William Clifford, who was accused of crashing the reception and was later attacked by a mob of angry guests.

Town ordered Motta on house arrest earlier this month because of the incident. Khalaf said the court wanted at the time to send a clear message to Motta that he "was not the man" and that there were consequences for violating terms of his bail. To allow him to attend Saturday's benefit would send the message that "he is the man," Khalaf argued.

She was also concerned the event would involve entertainment and, most likely, alcohol. If Motta wanted to express his gratitude, he could do so in other ways, including writing thank-you notes, she said. "I don't think this is the kind of environment we need to make an exception for," she said.