Plea deal trims murder charge to assault in killing of Filipina in Hawaii | Inquirer
 
 
 
 
 
 

Plea deal trims murder charge to assault in killing of Filipina in Hawaii

02:57 AM June 14, 2019

HONOLULU, Hawaii – A plea deal is being criticized for allowing the alleged murderer of a Filipina to only serve time for assault.

Jhun Ley Irorita, charged with second-degree murder for the November 2015 killing of Helen Prestosa, isn’t admitting any guilt with his “no contest” plea. With this plea, however, the charge was reduced to first-degree assault.

Filipino national Jhun Ley Irorita pleaded “no contest” in the trial for the murder of Helen Prestosa, also a Filipino, in Honolulu.

Irorita agreed to a maximum of 10 years in prison. The parole board will decide how much time he must serve. A Filipino national, he faces deportation after serving time.

Prestosa was reported missing from her home in Honolulu’s heavily Filipino Kalihi neighborhood. Her remains were found about five months later.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Helen Prestosa of Kalihi, Honolulu was killed in 2015.

The prosecutor had told the jury that Irorita admitted killing Prestosa to his father, and that his mother overheard the confession. His defense argued that Irorita’s father was the likelier suspect as the latter had an argument with Prestosa at work, according to HawaiiNewsNow.com.

In a statement, the prosecutor’s office said, “Given the evidence, the developments during trial and after consultation with the victim’s family, we believe the plea agreement is a reasonable resolution. As a result of the plea agreement, the defendant will be subject to deportation once he is released from prison.”

“I felt that justice was not served in this case for Helen,” said a juror who asked not to be identified,” reported HawaiiNewsNow.com.

Want stories like this delivered straight to your inbox? Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING

Don't miss out on the latest news and information.
TAGS: assault, murder, plea deal, trials
For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.




This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.