Murder suspect released

Honolulu police and city prosecutors have released a murder suspect who allegedly beat a homeless man to death this weekend.

The 36-year-old suspect was released from the Police Department main cellblock at 3:50 p.m. yesterday pending further investigation.

He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder on Sunday at 1631 Kapiolani Blvd. after fleeing from Ala Moana Beach Park, where the beating took place.

According to witnesses, the suspect got into a fight with 49-year-old Gary Baker behind the concession stand at the Diamond Head side of the park after the suspect allegedly wiped his fingers clean of food on Baker's shirt. Witnesses said that during the fight, the suspect stomped on Baker's head.

However, preliminary autopsy results show Baker did not die of head injuries and the case has since been deferred pending more testing, according to the Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office. Officials with both the police and prosecutors said that since the victim's cause of death is still inconclusive, the suspect has to be released.

"Right now, the investigation is continuing," said homicide Lt. Bill Kato. "We need more time to complete it."

The suspect was first convicted of a felony in 1987 and has a total of 15 convictions, four of them for felonies and 11 for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor offenses. The felony offenses include a second-degree assault and three drug-related convictions.

The suspect also has 38 arrests, including one for first-degree robbery and another for fourth-degree sex assault.