74
A jury found Vicente Kote Kapika Hilario guilty Thursday of gun-related charges in connection with the 2010 death of Aureo Arick Moore on Kauai.
The jury also found Hilario, 26, of Anahola, guilty of promoting a dangerous drug in the second-degree and promoting a dangerous drug in the third-degree. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 19.
On Aug. 24, 2010, police pursued a gray Nissan Altima, the vehicle used in a robbery that occurred three days earlier where Moore, 34, was allegedly robbed by gunpoint at a Kapaa Safeway parking lot, according to a news release from Kauai County’s prosecutor’s office.
During the pursuit of the Altima on Papaloa Road, Hilario’s friend, Kyle Akau, fled the vehicle while carrying a backpack. Police located Akau hiding behind a bush and arrested him. The backpack was recovered near by and contained a loaded, unregistered .22 caliber pistol and a loaded .45 caliber revolver, which was reported stolen in 1998.
Also found in the backpack was 125 oxycodone tables and a small plastic bag containing cocaine residue. A pay stub from Bouchons Hanalei Restaurant, hotel bills and camping permits that belonged to Hilario were also in the backpack.
In March of this year, Hilario was found guilty of first-degree murder for the execution-style killing of Moore on Dec. 17, 2010. Moore was due to testify against Akau later that month for the robbery that occurred at the Safeway parking lot.
Hilario’s sentencing for the murder conviction is set for June 13.
