WAILUKU (KHON2) — The 38-year-old man accused of killing Maui police officer Suzanne O will be headed to trial.
The final day of suspect Clembert Kaneholani’s preliminary hearing was on Friday, with another packed courtroom with O’s family members and fellow MPD officers.
In the end, the judge said the state had presented enough evidence to move the case to circuit court.
The hearing started with officers and detectives responding to the scene after the shooting had already happened and detailing the firearms that were found, rounds shot, and rounds still in the chamber. They also showed Officer O’s vest which had blood on the back side and a camouflage backpack that is believed to be Kaneholani’s.
Maui’s prosecuting attorney asked one of the officers on the stand if another gun was recovered from the backpack. “Yes, it was black in color and had a wooden handle,” Officer Steven Landsiedel said. He said it had a loaded magazine within and was a 22-caliber LR Browning with a serial number.
On Thursday, Maui police said they had recovered a Polymer 80 glock ghost gun with a high-capacity magazine.
The shooting stemmed from a trespassing call on Friday, Aug. 15. The caretaker and witness from the Paia Sugar Mill said he saw Kaneholani point two firearms at him before he began shooting.
Kaneholani, who is a convicted felon, was not supposed to have firearms in his possession.
When police arrived on scene, a fellow officer testified he heard a shot fired, Officer O scream, and fall to the ground. He then said he heard the suspect’s gun jam.
“This is very important your honor, because as the court heard from testimony today behind that pillar [where the suspect was] that gun would have ejected more live rounds below where the person who held that weapon was,” prosecuting attorney Martin said.
The doctor who conducted Officer O’s autopsy said she died from a gunshot wound to her chest.
“The gunshot wound on the left side came through her chest and injured her heart and lungs and caused internal bleeding,” explained forensic pathologist Dr. Jeremy Stuelpnagel.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
The judge said the state had presented enough evidence for the case to move to trial.
Kaneholani’s initial appearance will be Wednesday, Aug. 27.