Killing was accidental, Makakilo suspect says

A 63-year-old Makakilo man acknowledged that he hit his roommate on the head during a fight but didn’t intend to kill him, according to court documents.

Danvers Fletcher is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Paul Loya, 64, last week at the pair’s Ahiwa Street home. He was being held in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Police officers called to investigate found Loya lying on his back on a blood-stained couch in the living room with a head wound. Fletcher was sitting in a chair next to the couch.

The suspect indicated that the injury to Loya occurred Wednesday night. The incident was reported to police at 3:15 p.m. Thursday.

Shattered glass lay on the floor and on a table in front of the couch, police said.

While being interviewed by one of the arresting officers, the suspect said, "I hit him, but I didn’t mean to kill him," according to a police affidavit filed in court.

Documents say Fletcher also told the police officer: "He got the best of me. Look at my eye. I just got a lucky shot in.

"I tried to keep him alive all night long."

The suspect’s landlord told police that he arrived about 2:30 p.m. to collect rent that was overdue from the two men.

The landlord told police that he asked Fletcher about his black eye and the suspect said he had fought with his roommate.

Fletcher is a well-known Haleiwa artist.

Family members said Loya had been a Marine for 12 years and returned to the islands after leaving the service in the 1980s.

Loya later worked as an auto mechanic and retired because of back problems.