Maui man faces life term
for trying to kill girlfriend

WAILUKU » A Valley Isle man faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after a Maui jury found him guilty of second-degree attempted murder in shooting a former girlfriend.

Christopher Espiritu, 50, of Napili could serve a longer sentence if Maui Circuit Judge Joel August decides to add on sentences for three firearm offenses, including using a firearm in the commission of a felony, which can bring a sentence of 20 years to life in prison.

Espiritu is scheduled to be sentenced May 18.

August ordered Espiritu to be held without bail after Deputy Prosecutor Robert Rivera said he felt the charges were "very serious" and the defendant has exhibited an obsession with the victim.

Espiritu, a boat captain, had been free on $500,000 bail while awaiting trial.

During the trial, Rivera said Espiritu intended to kill his former girlfriend Christine Dietz when he shot her in the face in her unit at the Hale Royale condominium in West Maui on the evening of Dec. 4, 2002.

The defense argued Espiritu seriously injured her but did not intend to kill her.

Espiritu shot himself in the upper chest and was lying on the condominium floor when Dietz regained consciousness and fled to a neighbor's unit.

Espiritu and Dietz have recovered from their wounds.