COURTESY HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT
R.J. Masolo
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The 18-year-old suspect accused of beating to death an 83-year-old man in Chinatown had been drinking in Beretania Community Park before the incident and had punched a female, according to a police affidavit.
R.J. Marsolo has been charged with second-degree murder involving the beating death of Mamerto "Eddie" Semana earlier this month. He also is charged with third-degree assault of a woman he allegedly punched while he was drunk Dec. 3 in Beretania Park. His bail was set at $500,000.
Semana died Dec. 5 at the Queen’s Medical Center, where he was taken in critical condition by paramedics. The Medical Examiner’s Office said he died from blunt force injuries to his head. The medical examiner classified the case as a homicide.
Semana was found unconscious in Chinatown during the early morning hours of Dec. 4.
According to the police affidavit filed in Honolulu District Court on Friday, a witness told police that Marsolo was drinking with friends at Beretania Park on Dec. 3. The witness said Marsolo was drunk and punched a woman who was drinking with them.
After breaking up the fight, the witness told police that the two walked through Kila Kalimaka Mall toward College Walk. Near College Walk, Marsolo spoke briefly with Semana. When Semana was walking away, Marsolo punched the elderly man in the head, the witness said.
The victim fell to the ground and appeared to be unconscious, according to the police statement.
The suspect continued to punch Semana and kicked him several times, the witness told police.
Marsolo also is scheduled to appear in District Court on Wednesday on a criminal trespass complaint.