File describes slaying and suspect’s capture
Witnesses were key in foiling the escape of the suspect in a fatal stabbing in Makiki Thursday evening, court documents show.
Prosecutors charged Joel Chris Allen, of Nuuanu, yesterday with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of 35-year-old Jason Namauu of Maui.
Police said Allen and Namauu were sitting in the Allen's 2001 gold Ford Focus under the Keeaumoku Street overpass near Cartwright Neighborhood Park in Makiki at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Three men at the scene said they saw Allen punch Namauu several times, court documents state. Namauu was reclined in the front passenger seat, and dressed as a woman.
The witnesses approached the car to try and stop the assault and saw a knife and took it away from Allen, the documents said.
Allen then allegedly tried to drive away, but one of the witnesses removed the keys from the ignition, police said in a court affidavit.
Allen fled on foot and hid near bushes on South Beretania Street. One of the witnesses alerted a passing police officer and police arrested Allen in the parking lot of Times Super Market.
All the witnesses identified Allen as the stabbing suspect, the affidavit said. A knife with fresh blood stains was recovered near Allen's car, according to police.
Namauu was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition with two stab wounds to the chest and one to the left thigh area.
Allen was arrested at 7:10 p.m., and Namauu was pronounced dead at the hospital four minutes later.
Allen is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.
His previous convictions include third-degree assault in 2000 and 2006, auto theft in 1998 and assault on a police officer in 1997.
Namauu had 11 previous criminal convictions, including five felony convictions. He was convicted of prostitution this past April, and sentenced to six months probation.