DNA not from
slain girl’s uncleThe evidence contradicts the
story of accused murderer
Christopher Aki
DNA from inside Christopher Aki's car and on his watch do not match that of Dennis Cacatian, the uncle of slain 11-year-old Kahealani Indreginal, a DNA expert testified yesterday.
"He is excluded as a source of all DNA samples we received and tested in our lab," said Charlotte Word, lab director at Orchid Cellmark in Germantown, Md.
Prosecutors had the watch, which was recovered from Aki's Dodge Neon, tested for DNA after the defense alleged before trial that Cacatian killed Kahealani.
Aki, 21, is on trial for second-degree murder in Kahealani's death. Word testified yesterday for the prosecution in Circuit Court.
Blood found on Aki's watch came from two sources, Word said. The primary source was an unknown male but not Cacatian, she said. Aki's DNA was present but in a small quantity.
Kahealani's decomposed body was found Dec. 13, 2002, near the Aiea Loop Trail. Prosecutors contend Aki killed her by beating her with a pipe while under the effects of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice." Aki told police he had "snapped" after Kahealani slapped him after he accidentally spit food on her.
Aki contends he falsely confessed to the crime and that Cacatian and another unidentified male are responsible for Kahealani's death.
DNA found in blood on a carpet cutting, front passenger floor mat and rear passenger floor mat from the car matched tissue from Kahealani, Word said.
"I can say to a scientific degree of certainty that Kahealani Indreginal is the source of the DNA from those three particular samples," she said.
Prosecutors say the areas where Kahealani's blood was found in Aki's car match the locations where Aki, in his confession, said he washed blood from his hands or placed the pipe after he beat her.
Police did not tell Aki before he confessed where blood had been found in his car.
In court documents, Aki alluded to an unidentified male smoking ice with Cacatian at Keaiwa Heiau State Park when he arrived with Kahealani on Dec. 10, 2002. Aki contends Cacatian and the unidentified man killed Kahealani at the park with a knife and a large rock after Aki confronted Cacatian with allegations that he had been touching his niece inappropriately.
Aki said he saw the unidentified male help Cacatian move the girl's body with a pipelike object retrieved from Cacatian's van. Cacatian allegedly ordered Aki to help them, but Aki was too overcome by the sight of Kahealani on the ground bleeding that he could not, the defense noted.
Aki also alleges that Cacatian and the unidentified man -- after moving Kahealani's body -- jumped into his car and drove off without his permission. The men returned after a while toting a large rock.
Cacatian has not been charged with Kahealani's death.
The state rested its case after Word's testimony. The defense is expected to begin its case today.