Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Friday, December 13, 2024 75° Today's Paper


Top News

Kaneohe man pleads not guilty to setting man on fire


A 44-year-old Kaneohe man entered a plea of not guilty on Tuesday to dousing another man with gasoline and setting him on fire.

Joel B. Lonzaga is charged with second-degree attempted murder of Tracy Carroll, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Second-degree attempted murder carries a life sentence.

Lonzaga was arraigned on Tuesday via a closed circuit video link from Oahu Community Correctional Center where he remains in custody unable to post bond of $200,000.

Circuit Judge Richard Perkins assigned the attempted murder case to Circuit Judge Glenn Kim, and set trial for the week of July 28.

Lonzaga was arrested at his mother’s Kaneohe home, where he and the 47-year-old victim had been drinking beer, neighbors said.

Police said the men argued and Lonzaga dumped the contents of a plastic gasoline can on the victim’s head.

Lonzaga’s mother and cousin, who also live at the home, tried to intervene, but Lonzaga set the man on fire with a lighter, police said.

Comments are closed.