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Murder trial for mother of ‘Peter Boy’ Kema postponed

STAR-ADVERTISER

Jaylin Kema appeared in the Hilo courtroom of Judge Glenn Hara on April 29, charged in the murder of Peter Boy Kema.

The trial of the mother of Peter “Peter Boy” Kema Jr., has been postponed for five months, according to the Hawaii Tribune Herald.

The newspaper today reported that Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara granted Jaylin Kema’s request to postpone her trial to 8:30 a.m. Jan. 30. The trial was scheduled to begin Aug. 22.

The 46-year-old Kema and her 45-year-old husband, Peter Kema Sr., are charged with second-degree murder. Both Kemas were indicted by a Hilo grand jury in April, about 19 years after Peter Boy’s disappearance in 1997.

Peter Kema Sr. told authorities in August 1997 he left Peter Boy with a longtime family friend, “Aunty Rose Makuakane,” at Aala Park in downtown Honolulu.

Hara also granted Jaylin Kema’s request to postpone a separate trial for second-degree theft in a welfare fraud case until Jan. 23. She allegedly collected more than $17,000 in public assistance benefits she wasn’t entitled to between May 2010 and July 2015. The alleged theft was uncovered because of the murder investigation, prosecutors said.

Hara won’t hear either case if trials do occur, as he’s set to retire at the end of the year, the Hilo newspaper reported.

Jaylin Kema is in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center. A motion to reduce her $150,000 bail is set to be heard at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 18.

Peter Kema Sr.’s murder trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 19 before Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura. He’s in custody, unable to post bail of $500,000.

11 responses to “Murder trial for mother of ‘Peter Boy’ Kema postponed”

  1. Tita Girl says:

    Jaylin Kema if you know what happened to Peter Boy the time to start talking is now. The first flipper will get the better deal.

  2. MillionMonkeys says:

    A long wait, but justice will be served (fingers crossed).

  3. Keolu says:

    Why did the judge postpone the trial? Because he’s retiring?

  4. Bully says:

    The prosecutor is hoping that Jaylin flips on Peter but I dont think thats going to happen. She kept her mouth shut all this time. probably because she is responsible too.

  5. AhiPoke says:

    Two despicable people. After 19 years I can’t imagine living with the guilt. Yes, I realize people are considered innocent until proven guilty but the fact that there’s not a shred of evidence to support Peter Sr.’s story about an “Aunty Rose” is enough to convince me. I hope the prosecutors have enough evidence to gain a conviction.

  6. localguy says:

    Another delay? Give me a break. It has been 39 years since these low lifes were responsible for the death of Peter “Peter Boy” Kema Jr.

    Judge should have told her now delay, we are going to trial. You have had 39 years and we will not give you one more delay.

    Deal with it.

  7. wrightj says:

    It’s sure taken it’s toll on Jaylin; look at the picture.

  8. Blunt says:

    Sad-looking Hawaiians. Everybody hates them. Where is the ACLU? Aren’t they for the poor people who can’t fight for themselves. No can speak English, read or write, no read laws or understand complex terminology for court procedures. Why aren’t Hawaiians stepping in and rallying for these poor souls like the telescope protests. Mankind stinks.

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