COURTESY OF HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
Brian Lee Smith
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A manhunt for a Hawaii island murder suspect was launched Thursday afternoon after authorities discovered he was mistakenly released Tuesday — prompting Gov. David Ige to launch an investigation into the mishandling of a detainee in state custody.
Brian Smith, 49, of Honaunau was awaiting trial for a shooting last month that left one man dead and one injured on Painted Church Road in South Kona. He was being held with bail set at $1.15 million but was erroneously released Tuesday from Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
He is charged with one count of first-degree attempted murder, one count of second-degree murder, one count of second-degree attempted murder and various firearm offenses.
Authorities discovered the mistake after Smith did not show up at a scheduled court appearance Thursday afternoon. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
“I am upset and deeply concerned about the erroneous release of pre-trial detainee Brian Smith,” said Gov. David Ige in a press release. “Residents on Hawai‘i Island have had to deal with the lava emergency and the recent murder of a police officer, and I know this news is another blow. Our number one priority right now is your safety.”
Ige said Public Safety Department Director Nolan Espinda would personally oversee an investigation into Smith’s release.
Hawaii County prosecutors informed HCCC Thursday morning that the facility may have erroneously released Smith on Tuesday, the Department of Public Safety said. The Public Safety director’s office was notified at 11:30 a.m.
Smith was released, as ordered, for District Court matters, but “it was quickly confirmed through documentation that the inmate should have remained in custody in a Circuit Court matter,” DPS said in a written statement.
Smith is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. He has gray hair and blue eyes.