Suspect in fatal Ka‘u stabbing found fit to proceed

Kaleianuenue Borero-Kaluna is set to make her initial appearance in Kona Circuit Court Tuesday before Judge Melvin H. Fujino in Kealakekua. There, the 19-year-old will enter a plea to charges of second-degree murder and first- and second-degree attempted murder filed in connection with the April 26 incident at Whittington Beach Park, locally known as Honuapo.

On Wednesday, Kona District Court Judge Margaret Masunaga found Borero-Kaluna fit to proceed after a contested hearing prompted last month when a panel of three doctors split on whether the woman was fit to proceed and criminally responsible for her conduct.

After finding the teen fit, Masunaga resumed proceedings in the case. A preliminary hearing, during which the state works to show it has probable cause to support attempted murder and murder charges, was set to commence, however, Borero-Kaluna waived her right to the hearing committing the case to Circuit Court.

Deputy Public Defender Ann Datta could not be reached for comment regarding the judge’s finding and details on whether her client had given birth while incarcerated awaiting trial.

In late April, just days after the teen was charged with murder and attempted murder, Datta divulged to the court Borero-Kaluna was eight months pregnant when she sought a reduction in bail or supervised release for her client, both of which were denied by the court.

Borero-Kaluna remains at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $150,000 bail.

By CHELSEA JENSEN West Hawaii Today