Suspect arrested in Kailua murder
Police arrested Tuesday a 38-year-old murder suspect 13 days after the body of man, also 38, was found off a dirt trail near Old Kalanianaole Road.
The 38-year-old male suspect was found at a Kaneohe home, and was arrested at 5 p.m. on suspicion of second-degree murder.
Hunters discovered Benjamin Awong’s body May 15 with suspicious injuries, and the Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide.
The suspect has a felony conviction record, which includes a first-degree assault in 2002. The case was originally classified as an attempted murder, but he pleaded guilty to the lesser assault charge.
He was also convicted of second-degree robbery in 2017.
Awong was acquitted by reason of insanity in 2005 for robbery, unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, auto theft and driving without a license committed in 2002 and 2003.
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Awong was re-placed on conditional release on Feb. 26. At a April 29 review hearing, it was noted he was doing well on conditional release, and asked to buy a car. The judge wanted him to re-focus on his recovery and treatment.
He had been scheduled for a review hearing on June 24.