Blows to head
killed IndreginalThe medical examiner testifies
that the girl was also stabbed
Eleven-year-old Kahealani Indreginal was stabbed repeatedly but died from blows to the head and neck, according to the Honolulu medical examiner.
Kanthi Von Guenthner, chief medical examiner, testified yesterday in the Circuit Court murder trial of Christopher Aki, who is charged with second-degree murder in Kahealani's death on Dec. 10, 2002.
Kahealani disappeared that day from the Halawa Housing complex where she lived with her family. Her decomposed body was found three days later at the Aiea Loop Trail.
Aki, 21, of Kalihi Valley, was the boyfriend of Kahealani's older half sister. Prosecutors say Aki admitted to punching out Kahealani, then beating her with a pipe at least 20 times while under the influence of crystal methamphetamine.
The defense says Aki falsely confessed to the crime to protect himself and his family from the real killer, whom he claims is Kahealani's uncle Dennis Cacatian.
Deputy public defender Todd Eddins said Kahealani was killed with a knife and a large rock by Cacatian after Aki drove her up to the park Dec. 10. Aki alleges that he confronted Cacatian about touching Kahealani inappropriately, and Cacatian became irate and ordered Kahealani down a trail. That was the last time he saw Kahealani alive, Aki contends.
Results of an autopsy conducted by Von Guenthner on Dec. 15 showed Kahealani suffered numerous stab wounds to her neck, collarbone and abdomen. In response to questioning by the defense, Von Guenthner said the stab wounds are consistent with a sharp object, such as a pocketknife.
Kahealani also suffered a broken palate, and her jawbone was completely fractured in two areas, Von Guenthner said.
Because Kahealani's lower face and neck were decomposed, it was impossible to determine the extent of her injuries in those areas and whether they were fatal, Von Guenthner said. The stab wounds to the abdomen and hip area were not fatal.
The fractures were consistent with Kahealani being struck with a blunt object, but not a fist, Von Guenthner said. She agreed a pipe could have caused those injuries, but could not rule out other objects.
She also found it significant was that there was bleeding in Kahealani's brain. The bleeding is consistent with "blunt force trauma" to the head or face, which, depending on the severity, could have caused a person to go in and out of a concussion, Von Guenthner said.
There was also bleeding in the tissues and muscles around the kidney, which indicates "she was alive when she received those injuries," Von Guenthner said.
The body's decomposition made it impossible to conclude for certain whether Kahealani had been sexually assaulted, Von Guenthner said. The girl's body was clothed when found.
Aki initially denied any involvement in Kahealani's disappearance but later implicated two men before taking sole responsibility.
In an audiotaped statement to police four hours after her body was found, Aki continued to deny Kahealani was with him the day she disappeared or that she was seen in his car.
"I don't know, I don't know," he told detectives, "I wish I did, but I don't know anything about this."
He told the detectives, however, that he had smoked crystal methamphetamine Dec. 9 -- the day before Kahealani disappeared -- and that he cannot remember anything when he is high.
"I go blank," he said.
