Isle soldier could face execution in murder

City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle has turned over a murder case to the military, which can put a 21-year-old Schofield Barracks soldier to death if he is convicted in the killing of an ex-girlfriend.

Spc. Jeffrey White had been charged with second-degree murder and faced a life sentence with the possibility of parole.

But now White faces a possible military court-martial and the death penalty for the alleged murder of Spc. Felicia E. LaDuke on Oct. 7 at a beach near Kaena Point. White is the father of LaDuke's 20-month-old son.

"We wanted to ensure that he would face an equally harsh sentence if he was convicted," Carlisle said.

He said White's case was turned over to military authorities because it involved a Schofield Barracks soldier who allegedly was killed by another soldier.

"Many of the witnesses are in the Army," Carlisle added, "and the military would have an easier time tracking them down."

Police said White told witnesses he strangled LaDuke, 22, about 10:30 p.m. inside her car, pushed her out and then ran over her body with the car. White then concealed LaDuke's body in bushes alongside the beach.

Police said White returned a few hours later to make sure LaDuke was dead. He brought along an acquaintance, whom he showed where LaDuke's body was hidden. LaDuke's body was found by military police at 69-1249 Farrington Highway.

The Army yesterday charged White, a member of the 325th Brigade Support Battalion, with premeditated murder, communicating threats and obstruction of justice.

He now faces an Article 32 hearing, which is the military's version of a preliminary hearing, where an Army judge will determine whether he will be court-martialed.

The city medical examiner said LaDuke died of "asphyxia due to strangulation with blunt force injuries."

White is married to another woman, with whom he has another child. He is required to pay child support for the son he had with LaDuke, a police affidavit said.

Witnesses told police they had heard White say on at least one occasion that he was going to kill LaDuke. They also heard him say it would be better if LaDuke would just disappear, the affidavit said.

White is being held in the Navy brig on Ford Island.