Jury says beating death was manslaughter, not murder

A Circuit Court jury rejected a murder verdict today and found Paul Kaeo guilty of the lesser offense of manslaughter for the 2009 beating of his estranged wife’s boyfriend with a 2-foot-long metal reinforcing bar.

The jury deliberated for about three hours Friday and today before finding Kaeo guilty of recklessly killing Charles Kahumoku Jr., 49, in the May 8, 2009, beating in Maili. Kahumoku died from head injuries.

Kaeo’s defense was that he was trying to protect his former wife from Kahumoku.

Circuit Judge Karen Ahn scheduled Kaeo’s sentencing for Oct. 17.  

Kaeo, 47, faces a maximum 20-year term for manslaughter.  Murder carries a mandatory life term with possibility of parole.