The Maui News
WAILUKU — A jury trial has been set for Nov. 27 for a 58-year-old Makawao man charged with second-degree murder of 36-year-old Jonathan Awai, whose body was found in Kula earlier this month.
John Joseph Smith, who is being held on $1 million bail at the Maui Community Correctional Center, entered pleas of not guilty Wednesday morning during his arraignment in 2nd Circuit Court.
In addition to his second-degree murder charge, Smith is charged with carrying or using a firearm in the commission of a separate felony along with a charge of ownership or possession prohibited as a felon, which is relating to firearms or ammunition, court records show.
Smith was indicted on the charges by a grand jury on July 21.
Defense attorney Matthew Padgett was assigned to Smith’s case in 2nd Circuit Court Wednesday as the Public Defender’s Office had a conflict in representing Smith.
Padgett asked that a bail study be prepared for Smith.
Judge Kirstin Hamman set a bail hearing for Friday.
The body of Awai, a Makawao resident, was discovered on July 5 when Wailuku patrol officers responded to a remote trail off of Keanuhea Street in Kula regarding the discovery of possible human remains.
When the officers arrived, hunters led them to what was later discovered to be the body of a man wrapped in plastic. Police later identified the man as Awai.
Police arrested Smith in Kahului on July 13.
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3UoqWer6NjsLC5jqecsKtfobykrctmpZ6vo2R%2FcX6SaGdwZ52qv6Wx0WaqrqugmrC1ec%2BlnJqco2K7sMCMoKyipKSuerW%2ByJqjZquVqXqnu9FmpaiuXWeEcA%3D%3D