Opinion ID: 1375362
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Santana's Testimony

Text: Santana testified that he, Kamanu, Lau, the defendants, and the co-defendants all knew each other through the drug business. Regarding the murder of Kamanu, Santana testified that the following events occurred: On the night of August 2, 1989, Santana, Kaakimaka, Aiwohi, Dacosin, and Griffiths met informally at Flamingo's Restaurant in Kaneohe. At the meeting, they all participated in a discussion about killing Kamanu for allegedly having squealed on [Santana] at the airport for being in possession of cocaine. It was agreed that Griffiths would do the actual killing, but that Santana was invited to help shoot [Kamanu] ... for revenge for what he did. Although Santana was reluctant to participate in the murder, he played along so that the others would not have to do me in too. After the decision to kill Kamanu was made, Santana and Griffiths left Flamingo's and drove to Waik&imacr;k&imacr; to acquire a gun, find Kamanu, and kill him. While in a parking lot across from Cilly's Night Club, Santana saw Lau and motioned for him to come over to the car. When Lau approached, Santana told him, I'm going to whack [Kamanu]. I need one gun. Lau responded, Okay, left momentarily, and returned with a gun. Griffiths and Santana then left the parking lot to meet with Hee and to determine Kamanu's whereabouts. When they learned that Kamanu was not alone, the three decided that it was too dangerous to kill him right at that moment. With murder plans foiled, Santana began to reflect on the possible consequences of killing Kamanu and decided that the whole idea was pretty crazy. Santana feared that, because he had been busted with all [the] coke[,] ... maybe [Griffiths] was going to turn around and hit [him] at the same time.... Santana therefore decided not to participate in the killing and had no further contact with the defendants or the co-defendants until sometime after the murder. Santana testified that on August 4, 1989, the day of the murder, he had been arrested and incarcerated at the Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) for offenses unrelated to the present appeal. While watching the news a couple of days later, he heard that Kamanu had been killed on August 4, 1989. Santana also testified, and the prosecution alleged in the indictment, that, sometime during the winter of 1992, Santana once again had contact with some of the defendants regarding the murder. He spoke, on one occasion, with Kaakimaka and Aiwohi by telephone and was told to hang tough. On another occasion, Aiwohi told him to keep quiet. Santana testified that Lau, who was also subsequently incarcerated, was approached and warned by Kaakimaka and others to withhold information from the police. Santana also spoke in detail with Hee who told [Santana] everything[;] step by step how they did it. According to Santana, Hee related the events over a series of conversations; sometimes just the two of them were present, and, at other times, Lau was also present.