HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR071918LifesentenceforSaltPondmurder04,
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Mayor Managing Director
COUNTY OF KAUA'I
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
News Release
For Immediate Release: July 19, 2018
JUSTIN KOLLAR, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Tel (808) 241-1888
Fax (808) 241-1758
Life sentence for Salt Pond murder
LIHU`E — Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar announced that Koma Kekoa Texeira Jr.,
21, formerly of Waimea, was sentenced Thursday to serve a life sentence in prison for the 2016
murder of Jon Togioka.
Fifth Circuit Chief Judge Randal G. B. Valenciano handed down the sentence. Texeira
was found guilty following a two -week jury trial in March of this year.
The case was prosecuted by First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer S. Winn and
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sean Van Demark. The Kauai Police Department's (KPD)
Detective Christopher Calio was the lead investigator.
Texeira was sentenced Thursday on three charges: Murder in the Second Degree, Use of
a Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony, and Prohibited Possession of Firearm or
Ammunition. Because Texeira was convicted of multiple felonies, he was eligible for enhanced
sentencing. Judge Valenciano imposed those enhanced sentences as to two charges, including
a sentence of life with the possibility of parole on the Use of Firearm charge and a 10-year prison
sentence as to the possession charge. Texeira was also sentenced to life with the possibility of
parole on the Murder charge.
According to witness testimony and evidence presented at trial, Texeira shot and killed
Togioka execution -style in the late -night hours of October 31, 2016, in a deserted area near
Burns Field in Hanapepe. Texeira was apprehended on the morning of November 5, 2016.
Texeira's co-defendant, Clayton Kona, was sentenced earlier this year to a five-year
prison sentence for his role in assisting Texeira by hiding the gun used in the murder.
Kollar stated, "Throughout this entire process our thoughts have remained with the family
and friends of Jon Togioka. We are grateful for the hard work of Detective Calio and everyone at
KPD who assisted with investigating this truly senseless murder, as well as our Victim/Witness
staff, for bringing this complex case to a successful resolution. We cannot bring Jon back, but we
can ensure justice for his `ohana."
Koma Kekoa Texeira Jr., age 21