Teen agrees to trial
as an adultRobbery and burglary are among
13 new charges against him
An 18-year-old man charged with attempted murder in a Punchbowl burglary last June signed a waiver yesterday so that he will be tried as an adult on 13 new charges allegedly committed when he was a minor.
Miti "Junior" Maugaotega Jr., who is being held at Oahu Community Correctional Center, appeared before Family Court Judge Frances Wong yesterday to sign the waiver to his right for a hearing that would have decided whether he would be charged and tried as an adult or a minor.
The 13 new charges are unrelated to the June 26 shooting of Eric Kawamoto, 43, during an afternoon burglary of his home. Kawamoto was shot in the chest but was able to alert neighbors that he needed help. He has since recovered.
In August, Wong ordered that Maugaotega be tried as an adult in the Kawamoto case.
He is scheduled to stand trial Jan. 12 on charges of second-degree attempted murder, burglary, robbery, illegal possession of a firearm, two counts of using a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
If convicted of second-degree attempted murder, Maugaotega could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The 13 new charges include two counts of burglary; three counts of robbery; two counts of first-degree sexual assault; two counts of carrying, using or threatening to use a firearm in the commission of a felony; second-degree assault; and promoting prison contraband.
A grand jury will be convened to deliver any indictments based on the 13 charges. No details were given in court about what led to the 13 charges.
Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Ching and Public Defender Carolyn Brown declined to comment on the case.
Previously, it has been reported that Maugaotega was allegedly involved in a burglary and sexual assault June 23 at an apartment on Kanunu Street. Maugaotega was a minor at the time of the alleged incident and turned 18 on Sept. 29.
Police said Maugaotega allegedly broke into the apartment of a 57-year-old woman. He allegedly rummaged through her dresser drawers, woke her up, demanded money and sexually assaulted her.
The victim told police she ran from her apartment when Maugaotega left her room. She told police that he caught up with her in the stairwell of the apartment building, hit her on the head with his handgun and fled.
