Teen accused in taxicab driver’s death can be tried as an adult
A Family Court judge determined that a teenager accused of being one of two people who beat a taxicab driver to death in Waipahu in May can be tried as an adult.
Kalani Derego, 18, is expected to make an initial appearance in Honolulu District Court on Tuesday. He was 17 at the time of his arrest.
Michael Robles, 18, has already been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Charlys Tang.
The 41-year-old Tang died May 1, his birthday, after being found beaten and bleeding in the parking lot of the Waipahu Times Super Market.
Court documents said that after Robles was arrested May 7, he waived his constitutional rights and voluntarily provided a statement to police stating he and Derego had beaten Tang.
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Robles told police he and Derego got into a taxicab in Waikiki and that the juvenile got into an argument with the driver prior to exiting the cab.