The 29-year-old Kailua- Kona man suspected of killing Alanaokala Covington, whose body was found buried off Hawaii Belt Road last week, made his initial appearance Monday in Kona District Court on charges of murder, auto theft and other crimes.
Hawaii County prosecutors allege Gafatasi Napoleon shot and killed the 36-year-old Kailua-Kona man Oct. 14 using a firearm, according to a written complaint filed Monday with the court.
The complaint also alleges Napoleon was driving Covington’s pickup truck, a Toyota Tacoma, on or about Oct. 16-17 in Kona.
Police charged Napoleon on Sunday with second-degree murder, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and fourth-degree criminal property damage.
Prosecutors also allege Napoleon was in possession of a dangerous drug and damaged a county roadway with graffiti when he was arrested Saturday.
The judge Monday denied Napoleon’s request for a reduced bail amount and confirmed his bail at $271,000.
Napoleon’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for
8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Police received an anonymous tip Oct. 16 about a possible murder in Kailua- Kona, according to a news release Saturday.
After an investigation, police discovered the burial site in the late afternoon of Oct. 18 off Hawaii Belt Road, north of the 27-mile marker. Police secured the area, and Covington’s body was recovered the next morning.
An autopsy determined Covington died of a gunshot wound to the chest, police said.
Police arrested Napoleon at noon Saturday.
According to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, Napoleon’s only criminal conviction was on Oct. 6, 2011, for drunken driving, a petty misdemeanor.
