Man guilty of murder in shooting near bar
A Circuit Court jury found Phillip DeJesus Deleon guilty of murder yesterday for the fatal shooting of another man in the parking lot of a Keeaumoku karaoke bar last summer.
Deleon, 34, was on trial for the July 31, 2009, shooting death of 35-year-old Shawn Powell and attempted murder of one of Powell’s companions. On the attempted-murder charge, the jury found him guilty of reckless endangering.
Deleon faces a mandatory life prison term with the opportunity for parole when sentenced in December. Because he used a semiautomatic firearm, he must spend at least 20 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.
The Hawaii Paroling Authority may require him to spend more than 20 years behind bars before he can apply for release.
The shooting happened after one of Powell’s companions slapped Deleon in another bar about an hour earlier.
The state said Deleon was humiliated and shot Powell for revenge.
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Deleon’s lawyer said Deleon had no idea Powell and his friends were going to be at the karaoke bar and that he shot Powell in self-defense.