Murder trial of Marine to start on Monday

The trial of a 39-year-old Marine accused of killing a prostitute will begin Monday at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Master Sgt. Nathaniel Cosby will face a general court-martial in connection with the death of Ivanice Harris, of Las Vegas, on May 16.

Cosby is charged with unpremeditated murder; murder while engaging in a dangerous act; obstructing justice; and patronizing a prostitute.

Honolulu police said Cosby was seen on surveillance footage meeting Harris outside a Waikiki bar and the two were seen kissing in the elevator of a hotel.

Police say Cosby was later seen pulling a large duffel bag and loading it into the back of a sport utility vehicle.

Harris’ body was found at Yokohama Bay on May 20. Originally from Oregon, she was in Hawaii celebrating her 29th birthday.

Cosby is being held at the Pearl Harbor brig on Ford Island.

Pedestrian dies in hit-and-run

Maui police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who killed a pedestrian on Piilani Highway near the North Kihei Road intersection Tuesday night.

Police said a Toyota truck struck Viki Deardorff, 51, of Kihei while she was walking on Piilani Highway at 11:13 p.m. The truck left the scene.

Deardorff was pronounced dead at the scene. She was not in a marked crosswalk, police said.

Investigators are looking for a 2012 to 2014 bronze- or khaki-colored Toyota Tacoma with damage to the front passenger side grille, fender, and headlight area, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Vehicle Homicide Unit at 808-244-6347, or Police Dispatch at 808-244-6400.

The death is the sixth traffic fatality on Maui in 11 days and the ninth death this year, compared with four at the same time last year.

Attorney tapped for judgeship

The state Judiciary says a Hilo lawyer has been appointed as a family court judge on the Big Island.

Court officials said Wednesday that Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald appointed Henry Nakamoto as judge of 3rd Circuit Family Court.

Judiciary officials say Nakamoto has been a partner in a law firm since 1996. He specializes in family and real estate law as well as estate planning.

Nakamoto was picked among a group of at least six nominees put forward by the Judicial Selection Commission.

The appointment requires confirmation by the state Senate. If confirmed, Nakamoto would hold office for six years.