HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR092718Twentyyearprisonsentencefor2016shooting04,
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: September 27, 2018
JUSTIN KOLLAR, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Tel (808) 241-1888
Fax (808) 241-1758
20-year prison sentence for 2016 shooting
LIHU'E — Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar announced that Jeffrey Scot Simpson, 59,
formerly of Kapa'a, was sentenced today to serve 20 years in state prison for shooting his
housemate in the chest and face in October, 2016.
Fifth Circuit Chief Judge Randal G.B. Valenciano handed down the sentence after
hearing arguments from Kollar as well as Simpson's defense counsel. Simpson asked to be
placed on probation instead, but Judge Valenciano denied that request and imposed the prison
sentence requested by the State.
On October 9, 2016, Simpson broke down the door to his housemate's room as he slept,
and shot him in the chest and the face. The victim survived and required extensive rehabilitation
on O'ahu for his injuries. The victim made a brief statement at the sentencing hearing today.
Simpson fled the scene, turning himself in to police the next day. Following today's
hearing, Simpson was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence. He had been free after
posting $53,000 cash bail. That bail money will now be used to satisfy the restitution to the victim
in the case. Simpson was convicted of Attempted Manslaughter, a Class A felony.
The lead investigator on the case was KPD Detective AJ Morita. The case was
prosecuted by Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar. He stated, "We are grateful to Detective
Morita for his thorough and professional investigation. The victim in this case is fortunate to be
alive. The suffering will never end for him; he faces a lifetime of challenges because of the
defendant's wanton act of violence. Although nothing can make up for that suffering, we are
satisfied that the defendant will now face the consequences of his actions and will likely spend
the rest of his life behind bars."
Jeffrey Scot Simpson, age 59, formerly of Kapa`a