WAILUKU, Maui >> A Maui Circuit judge has ruled a statement made to police by a man accused of fatally shooting his son was given voluntarily.

In a taped interview in 2008, Joe D. Antonio said he was sorry for killing his 19-year-old son, Jose Antonio Jr.

Judge Joel August also held yesterday that the 47-year-old defendant had sufficient understanding of the English language to provide responses to police.

Defense attorney Phil Lowenthal argued the 37-minute interview showed his client’s English was “cursory at best.”

Joe Antonio has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.

He said in the interview that he shot his son during a shoving match that stemmed from a quarrel over his son’s leaving a video game cable on the floor.