Murder accomplice faces life sentence
The Maui woman pleads no contest in helping her boyfriend rob and kill a man, 82
WAILUKU » A woman who helped in the prosecution of her boyfriend on charges of killing of an 82-year-old Maui man pleaded no contest yesterday to several charges, including manslaughter.
Lisa Avilla's sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 20 before Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza.
Avilla, 35, faces up to three life sentences with parole, in addition to 40 years in prison.
She was initially charged with second-degree murder, but the prosecution agreed to reduce the charge to manslaughter in exchange for her testimony against her boyfriend, Michael Pavich, who was found guilty Oct. 14 of second-degree murder.
Avilla also pleaded no contest to first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, kidnapping, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and prohibited acts related to possessing drug paraphernalia.
Avilla and Pavich broke into the ground-floor condominium of retired Navy physician Edward Bird at Pacific Shores in December 2000.
In a struggle in the bedroom, Pavich struck Bird repeatedly with a lamp and strangled him.
Pavich's sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 13.
Bird had difficulty walking and used a motorized wheelchair to go from his home to the store.
A boy who planned to spend the morning with Bird found his body in the bedroom of his Pacific Shores condominium on the morning of Dec. 3, 2000.
Neighbors said Bird was a generous man who allowed children to visit him and watch television.
He donated money to the Philippines to build a basketball gym, 10 houses and scholarships for some 20 students, a neighbor said.