Mistrial declared in murder case

A state judge declared a mistrial Thursday in the murder trial of Jacob Le after a single juror stood firm for a not-guilty verdict.

Jury foreman Frank Kolar said the vote was 11 guilty, one not guilty after a little more than one day of deliberation.

Le, 27, was on trial for the fatal stabbing of his friend Brent Keola­oka­lani "Ola" Kanae in a second-level stairwell at Ala Moana Center a year ago Thursday.

Circuit Judge Rom Trader scheduled a hearing in two weeks to set a date for a new trial.

The lawyers for both sides expressed disappointment that the jurors were unable to agree on a verdict.

"I’m more disappointed for the (Kanae) family that they weren’t able to find closure with a verdict today," said Deputy Prosecutor Kristine Yoo.

Kanae family members sat through the 21⁄2 days of opening statements, testimony and closing arguments and were in court to hear Trader declare a mistrial.

Defense lawyer Lee Haya­kawa said, "The disappointing part is Jacob’s going to be sitting in O-triple-C that much longer waiting to clear his name."

Le remains in custody, unable to post $250,000 bail.

Honolulu police said Le initially denied involvement in the death of his friend and fellow hip-hop dancer. Le even performed a tribute dance at Kanae’s funeral.

But as friends of both men reported that Le told them he was the last person to talk to the 23-year-old Kanae and of Le’s odd behavior, police said they picked Le up for a second interview in which he confessed.

Le did not testify in his own defense.

Hayakawa says police tricked Le into giving them the statement in which he allegedly confessed, and failed to follow up on other leads.

He said the so-called confession is full of inconsistencies and that Le does not have the size or strength to overpower and stab the larger Kanae.

He also emphasized that the so-called confession is the only portion of the interview Hono­lulu police did not record on audiotape.