A 72-year-old man charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a 31-year-old man in Aiea pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the charges at Honolulu District Court.
Darryl M. Freeman appeared at his arraignment before Judge Patricia McManaman after he was charged Monday with second-degree murder and firearm offenses in connection with the death of Keenyn Pahio of Kalihi. Freeman’s attorney, Rustam Barbee, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges on Freeman’s behalf.
McManaman confirmed his bail at $2 million and set Freeman’s preliminary hearing for Thursday.
After the arraignment, Barbee said he plans to meet with Freeman today to discuss the case and interview witnesses.
Shortly before noon Saturday, police said, Freeman and Pahio were at a red traffic light on Moanalua Road, south of Aiea Heights Drive, when they got into an argument.
Witnesses reported two men were involved in a road rage incident.
According to a police affidavit, a witness told police she observed from a distance Pahio standing outside the driver’s door of a van and apparently yelling at the driver. Shortly after, she saw a black handgun pointed out of the van window that fired, shooting Pahio once in the head.
Police said Pahio’s body then slumped next to the van.
Another witness said the van driver’s window was rolled down and Pahio was “throwing punches into the van.”
The affidavit said the witness then heard a “loud pop” and saw Pahio fall to the ground. The witness told police he observed a gunshot wound on the front of Pahio’s head above his right eye.
Police dispatch informed responding officers that Freeman allegedly ran over Pahio’s head before he fled.
Emergency Medical Services transported Pahio to a hospital, where he died.
Police arrested Freeman at his Aiea home shortly after the shooting.
