The state appeals court upheld today the conviction of John Veikoso, 23, of raping a prostitute in 2009, but set aside his conviction of raping a second prostitute 20 days later.

The Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled that a doctor should not have been permitted to testify that the second prostitute told him she was threatened by Veikoso.

The court sent that case back to the Circuit Court for a new trial.

Veikoso was sentenced to maximum 30-year term for the rape of the first prostitute and a gun charge. His 20-year maximum sentence in the second case was set aside.
 
Circuit Judge Steven Alm, who described Veikoso as a “serial rapist,” had ordered the two sentences to run consecutively for a maximum 50-year term.

The two women testified that Veikoso picked them in downtown Honolulu on Jan. 18 and Feb. 7 last year,  respectively, took them to Maunawili Elementary School and raped them.