WAILUKU » A Molokai man has been convicted in the death of his girlfriend in 2013.

The Maui News reported Thursday that 35-year-old Marlin Lavoie was found guilty Wednesday of second-degree murder of 24-year-old Malia Kahalewai, the mother of their four children in Molokai. He was also found guilty on three firearms offenses.

Prosecutors say Lavoie had a rifle in his car and he deliberately shot Kahalewai once in the chest.

Defense attorney Chris Dunn says Lavoie was suffering from a physical or mental disease, disorder or defect at the time of the shooting.

Lavoie will be sentenced Aug. 13.

Police chief defends officers

KAHULUI » A preliminary inquiry into a shootout that left a suspect dead has found that the two officers involved had followed proper protocol.

The Maui News reported Thursday that Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu said the officers did exactly as they had been trained when they were confronted by a fugitive following a traffic stop on June 13 in Wailuku.

The shooting occurred when police recognized the passenger of the vehicle as 46-year-old Shawn Akamine, who was wanted on a warrant. Akamine got out of the vehicle and started shooting at officers.

Police say the officers returned fire and struck Akamine, who then shot himself. He later died at Maui Memorial Medical Center.

The two officers are on paid leave as the investigation continues.