Suspect enters guilty plea
in Kaneohe shooting
One of five men arrested in the shooting and robbery of a Kaneohe liquor store owner on Christmas Eve 2000 has pleaded guilty in Circuit Court to second-degree robbery and second-degree criminal property damage.
Sheldon Barques is a cooperating witness for the state and is expected to testify in the murder-robbery trial of alleged shooter Eric Vance and defendants Gabriel Apilando and Albert R. Hoapili Jr., said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lori Wada.
Hoapili's brother, James Hoapili, has already pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery and is to be sentenced in March.
Barques set fire to Song Chol Marshall's van in Mapunapuna to get rid of evidence after Vance allegedly shot Marshall in the head on Dec. 24, 2000, outside Angie's Market on Kaneohe Bay Drive.
The men allegedly dumped Marshall's body in a trash bin behind Keneke's Restaurant in Waimanalo. His body was found on Christmas Day.
Barques earlier pleaded not guilty to first-degree robbery, second-degree criminal property damage and hindering prosecution.
Wada said that under an agreement, the state reduced the robbery charge and plans to dismiss the hindering prosecution charge against Barques upon sentencing.
Barques is at the Oahu Community Correctional Center. His sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 11.
