STAR-BULLETIN / SEPTEMBER 2004 A state judge has dismissed a terroristic threatening charge against Shaun Rodrigues, saying the state took too long to bring the case to trial. Rodrigues is shown here walking out of court in September before sentencing.

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Judge blames state’s delay
in dismissing charges

A state judge has dismissed a terroristic threatening charge against convicted robber Shaun Rodrigues because the state took too long to bring the case to trial.

The terroristic threatening charge stems from a foiled July 6, 2000, burglary of a Manoa home.

The case had been put on hold pending Rodrigues' trial in the home invasion robbery of another Manoa home two days later. He was also convicted of kidnapping and burglary.

In September, Circuit Judge Virginia Crandall sentenced Rodrigues to 20 years for breaking into the home of Dianne Sugihara, trying up her and her adult daughter, and robbing them at gunpoint.

Rodrigues, 25, remains free on bail while he appeals his conviction. He contends he is a victim of mistaken identity in the home invasion and terroristic threatening cases.

The city Prosecutor's Office has not decided whether it will seek to re-indict Rodrigues in the July 6, 2000, case.

According to police reports, Paul Sunu arrived at his father's Hillside Avenue home with other family members the afternoon of July 6, when they saw a male walking down the steps and a ladder propped up against the house near a window.

Sunu confronted the man and asked for his identification but was told it was in the car down the street, according to police.

The man began walking toward the car with Sunu following when he purportedly pushed Sunu down, saying he had a gun, police said.

When Sunu asked to see the gun, the man pulled it out of his front pocket, pointed it at him and swore, asking if he "wanted it" before fleeing, Sunu told police.