Suspect arrested in Kailua murder
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Honolulu police officers leave the trail head along Old Kalanianaole Road, near Aleka Place in Waimanalo, after investigating the scene where an unidentified male body was found on May 15.
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.
