Honolulu police ID victim in Kailua slaying

The man whose body was found Wednesday off a trail near Old Kalanianaole Road was acquitted by reason of insanity in 2005 for various felonies.

But Benjamin Awong was in court April 29 asking for conditional release from the State Hospital.

The Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday identified the body of Awong, 38, and ruled his death a homicide.

Police are asking for the public’s help in finding witnesses to Awong’s killing.

Awong was acquitted June 15, 2005, of a Dec. 17, 2003, second-degree robbery and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle; a Dec. 13, 2002, auto theft and driving without a valid driver’s license; and a Dec. 15, 2003, auto theft.

Awong’s lawyer, Christian Enright, asked the judge on behalf of his client at an April 29 review hearing for conditional release.

Circuit Judge Shirley Kawamura, after speaking with Awong at the hearing, found he was not ready and that he needed to focus on recovery and treatment, according to court minutes from the state Judiciary’s online records.

The court had scheduled another review hearing for June 24.

His conditional release was reinstated by the court Feb. 26 with respect to residential treatment at the Hina Mauka treatment program.

However, it is unclear whether Awong was already at Hina Mauka or whether he remained at the State Hospital or elsewhere.

Anyone with information on Awong’s death is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellphone.