Slain man’s girlfriend says she fired first shot

A remorseless Anjelita Rasa told a state jury Tuesday that she intentionally shot her 65-year-old former boyfriend.

Rasa, 28, was charged with murder and other crimes for the June 2015 shooting death of William “Bill” Aki, with whom she had been living but who kicked her out two weeks earlier. She is testifying as a prosecution witness against two men charged with assisting and participating in the killing, in a deal that could get her released from prison after less than seven years.

Shaun Branco-Taguchi is on trial for murder for allegedly firing a shot from a .22-caliber rifle that killed Aki. His cousin Shane Rodrigues is on trial for acting as an accomplice to murder for allegedly providing the rifle.

Both men are also on trial for multiple firearm infractions and for arson for allegedly torching Aki’s sports car near Makua Cave after the slaying.

Rasa, who had been living with Aki and using his money to buy drugs, said she and Branco-Taguchi discussed killing and robbing Aki while at Rodrigues’ home in Makaha. That’s where Branco- Taguchi got the rifle, she said.

They then caught a ride to Aki’s house in Whitmore Village.

After confirming that Aki was home, Rasa said, she sneaked into the house with the rifle, turned on the television in the living room and waited in the kitchen — “to see if I can draw him out,” she said.

When Aki came out of his bedroom, Rasa said, she closed her eyes and pulled the trigger.

When she heard Aki moan, she panicked because he was still alive, and ran out of the house, she said.

Outside, she called his cellphone to find out where he was in the house. She said Aki answered and told her to stay away because he had been shot.

Then Branco-Taguchi went into the house with the rifle, and Aki said she heard a gunshot. She said she went back into the house, confirmed that Aki was dead, then searched his pockets for his car keys. She said she and Branco- Taguchi left the house in Aki’s car and with his bank cards and cellphone.

Rasa is scheduled to resume her testimony Thursday.