MAUI
WAILUKU >> Steven Capobianco, who was found guilty this week of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend, may speak in his own defense in the punishment phase of his trial.
Capobianco asked Maui Chief Judge Joseph Cardoza Thursday for one more day to decide whether he would testify in the punishment phase. Capobianco said, “Literally the rest of my life depends on this decision. … I just have not been able to make a decision yet.”
Capobianco was found guilty Wednesday of second-degree murder in the death of Carly “Charli” Scott in February 2014. Scott was 27 years old and five months pregnant by Capobianco at the time of her death.
Jurors are now scheduled to hear arguments on whether Capobianco caused Scott’s death in an “especially heinous, atrocious or cruel manner.” Their verdict will determine whether he receives an enhanced sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Cardoza gave Capobianco one more day to decide whether to testify and told the jurors they will reconvene Tuesday to begin the punishment phase.
KAUAI
Resort entrance to get makeover
The entrance to Princeville Resort on Kauai is slated for an upgrade that includes replacing a “dated European” landscape with a more local look.
Princeville Development Co. announced Wednesday that it plans to give the resort’s main entry a makeover by replacing statue-filled ponds flanking the resort’s main road with curved moss rock walls backed by Norfolk pine and kukui trees.
The company also will repave the resort’s entry roads, which have long been in need of reconstruction and are privately owned by Princeville’s association of homeowners.
“The entrance to Princeville should reflect the feeling of the Kauai community,” Jeff Stone, Princeville’s master developer, said in a statement. “Many residents have suggested a more Hawaiian entrance design, and we agree.”
Improvement work is expected to take about three months.
Wendy Osher of MauiNow.com and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
