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PHOTO BY CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL/CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
CTY MURDER - 23 August 2011 - Joshua Williams took notes during the first day of his trial at Circuit Court. Williams is accused of killing Jamil Kahn of Mililani in a dispute over their indoor marijuana growing operation, then dismembering and disposing of the body in the trash. Honolulu Star-Advertiser photo by Cindy Ellen Russell
Murder defendant Joshua Williams and another man ambushed and killed Jamil Khan in the Makakilo home where all three were involved in an indoor marijuana growing operation, a prosecution witness testified in state court Wednesday.
Williams, 26, is on trial for second-degree murder for the April 7, 2010, disappearance and death of the 24-year-old Khan.
Police have not recovered Khan’s body. Williams told police he an the other man, 25-year-old Michael Connelly, dismembered the body and threw it in the trash.
Williams claims he and Connelly killed Khan in self-defense and is expected to testify.
Connelly’s trial is scheduled for next February.
Bastian Goelz testified Wednesday that Williams told him that when Khan went to the Makakilo home, Williams closed the door behind him and then held Khan while Connelly attacked him with a hammer.
“Josh had told me that he restrained Jamil because they were afraid he might be holding a handgun,” Goelz said.
Another prosecution witness testified earlier that Williams told him Khan threatened him with a handgun if Williams tried to kick Kahn out of the marijuana partnership.
During the attack, Williams said Khan was crying, begging and telling his attackers to stop, Goelz said.
After Williams and Connelly had subdued Khan, Goelz said Williams told him the two dragged Khan to the bathroom.
“Josh told me that they had strung (Khan) up in the bathtub and Joshua stated that he had sliced Jamil’s throat,” Goelz said.
He said Williams suggested Khan was still alive when he cut Khan’s throat because Khan made wheezing and gurgling sounds.
