IRIS RODRIGUES-KAIKANA - 18 yo (2009)/ Convicted: Corbit Ahn - Honolulu HI

Honolulu police have a mystery on their hands. How did a young woman's
dead naked body end up in an alley behind her apartment complex and how
did she die?

A woman picking flowers in the easement between her house and an
apartment complex came upon the lifeless body of Iris
Kaikana-Rodrigues, 18, early Monday morning, according to police Lt.
William Kato of the Honolulu Police Department.



Tony Rodrigues, the girl's grandfather, said that she
was a good girl who graduated from McKinley High School and was working
at a downtown restaurant. Kaikana-Rodrigues lived with a friend in the
Kamehameha Homes Housing Center, near where her body was found. "She
didn't fool around drugs, I'll tell you right now, that much I know,"
Tony Rodrigues said. "Not one of them. Not one of them fool around
drugs."


Police say that neighbors had reported a commotion in the area sometime between 10 and 11 p.m. Sunday night.


"Right now we're not too specific if it was screaming, or if there
were any kind of struggle, if it was a male or female voice that was
heard," Honolulu Police Maj. Clayton Kau told KGMB.

Kaikana-Rodrigues was last seen around at her apartment with friends on Sunday night after returning home from work.  


Lt. Kato said that there were no obvious sign of trauma to the body
aside from minor abrasions, and that cause of death could not be
immediately determined. Police are awaiting the autopsy results, but
for now are investigating the death as a homicide.

The father of an 18-year-old McKinley High School graduate who was
found dead Monday in a Kalihi alleyway made a public plea yesterday for
information that leads to the arrest of his daughter's killer."Please
help me," Steven Rodrigues said at a news conference yesterday at
Honolulu Police Department headquarters. Tears ran down his face as he
added, "My daughter was a beautiful girl. She didn't deserve this."The
nude body of Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana was found about 8 a.m. Monday in a
pedestrian alley between Winant Street and Haka Drive. The alley is
across from Farrington High School and adjacent to a public housing
project — Kamehameha Homes — where Rodrigues-Kaikana lived with her
uncle and was last seen.Authorities have said the teen was strangled.CrimeStoppers
is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information on the death.
State Rep. John Mizuno, D-30th, (Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley,
Fort Shafter), a friend of the family, also has put up $500. Mizuno
urged anyone who knows what happened to call police or CrimeStoppers.
And he stressed that their identities would not be revealed."We know people know about this incident," Mizuno said yesterday.Friends and relatives of Rodrigues-Kaikana agreed, saying that people appear afraid to come forward.Darren
Weaver, Rodrigues-Kaikana's cousin, said there are suspicions about who
may be involved in the killing, but that "nobody wants to say
anything." Weaver would not say what his own suspicions are about the
homicide."We're going to let the detectives do their job. Our family is grieving right now," Weaver said.Rodrigues-Kaikana, who worked at the Fort Street McDonald's, was last seen about 10 p.m. Sunday.Relatives said she was hanging out with friends in a unit at Kamehameha Homes.She was found the following morning face-down in the alleyway.Residents who live near the alley reported hearing screams on Sunday night, but no one called police.Near
where Rodrigues-Kaikana's body was found, friends, relatives and even
strangers have erected a growing memorial to the 18-year-old, who was
described as hard-working, diligent and smart.Some teens who
knew Rodrigues-Kaikana gathered at the memorial yesterday afternoon to
leave flowers and lei. There also were balloons, candles, small plush
toys and signs with messages to Rodrigues-Kaikana.One sign said, "You will never be forgotten." Another read, "Missing you so much."The teen's friends at the memorial said everyone who knew her was shocked to learn she had been killed."She was a big sister to me," one of her friends said.Rodrigues-Kaikana's
father said the teen had dreams of becoming a police officer or a
prosecutor. She was planning to start college soon. She also went to
church regularly.At the news conference yesterday, Rodrigues
held up the Law Enforcement Explorer shirt his daughter used to wear.
The program is for youth interested in law enforcement jobs, and
Rodrigues said his daughter was in it for four years. And he added that
she wanted to go into a job where she could help others."Everybody who knows my daughter knows she's loving," Rodrigues said.Darren Weaver added the teen was a "go-getter.""My young cousin," he said, "she had a future."

A silent march in memory of murder victim Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana, will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the State Capitol.Rodrigues-Kaikana,
18, was found dead Aug. 24 in an alley adjacent to the Kamehameha Homes
housing project where she lived. Police said the McKinley High School
graduate was strangled. No arrests have been made.Monday's march
will be hosted by state Rep. John Mizuno, D-30th (Kamehameha Heights,
Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter), and family and friends of
Rodrigues-Kaikana.A reward for the arrest of the person or
persons responsible for Rodrigues-Kaikana's, death has reached $2,500.
The total includes contributions from CrimeStoppers, Mizuno, Grant
Cooper and Stephany Sofos.Anyone with information about this case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Family and friends of 18-year-old Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana, along with
dozens of people who never met her, gathered last night for a somber
march around the state Capitol to remember the McKinley High School
graduate's short life and to mourn her violent death."I still can't believe my daughter is gone," said Steven Rodrigues, the teen's father.He added, "I still want to know what happened. I just hope to get closure."Some
150 people turned out for the march, many wearing shirts that read
"never forgotten" with a photo of a smiling Rodrigues-Kaikana.Rodrigues-Kaikana's
nude body was found face-down on the morning of Aug. 24 in an alley
adjacent to the Kamehameha Homes public housing project, where she was
visiting a friend.The Honolulu medical examiner's office said she had been strangled. Police opened a homicide investigation.Area residents reported hearing screams the night before Rodrigues-Kaikana was found, but no one called police.CrimeStoppers
and members of the public, including bounty hunter and TV personality
Duane "Dog" Chapman, have put up rewards for information that will lead
to an arrest. Chapman has offered up $10,000.Last night, police said they had made no arrests in the case.That
has left many people frustrated and prompted calls for anyone who knows
something to come forward to help solve a crime that has rocked a
community."Somebody knows something," said Lynne Akana, whose
daughter used to dance hula with Rodrigues-Kaikana. "The community is
in unrest because of this."Akana added the teen's death has also touched so many."She wasn't anybody well-known, but she could have been from your family, my family," she said.The march started at about 5:30 p.m.After circling the state Capitol building once, the crowd gathered at its steps to sing "Amazing Grace.""The
purpose of a silent march is symbolic," said state Rep. John Mizuno,
D-30th (Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter), who is a
friend of the family.The march, he told the crowd, marks "another innocent life that has been silenced by criminal violence."Among
those who attended were dozens of community members who never knew
Rodrigues-Kaikana, but have been brought to tears by her death.Kalihi
resident Gilbert C., who declined to give his last name, said the story
has left him shaken. "It could have been my kids," he said.Rodrigues-Kaikana
worked part-time at the Fort Street McDonald's, and was planning on
starting college. She dreamed of becoming a police officer, a
prosecutor or a nurse.Her father said the 18-year-old, the
second oldest of five children, went to church and never got into
trouble. He last talked to her the night before her body was found,
when she said she was heading to a friend's house to download music to
her iPod and hang out.Rodrigues-Kaikana would have celebrated her 19th birthday on Oct. 20."She wanted to have a future," said her cousin, Evonne Kalaikai, 31.Kalaikai said she hoped the march would "bring justice" for the family.Debra
and William Geron, Rodrigues-Kaikana's aunt and uncle, who took care of
her for about 18 months when she was in middle school, said the family
is devastated by the loss.William Geron said he wants
Rodrigues-Kaikana's death to raise awareness about violence in the
community. "Beware of what can happen," he said. "Be aware of your
surroundings."Rodrigues-Kaikana's siblings also attended the
march yesterday, holding signs with photos of the teen.
Rodrigues-Kaikana's 12-year-old sister, Ilona, said she last saw her
sister a few days before she died, when the two went shopping together."She's a nice sister," Ilona said. "She takes care of me."Steven
Rodrigues said Ilona and Rodrigues-Kaikana's other younger siblings
have been asking him about her death and are trying to make sense of it
themselves.When they ask about her, Rodrigues said, "I just break down and cry. I got no answers."

Honolulu police have arrested a mixed-martial arts fighter in connection with the death of a Kalihi teenager.The father of 18-year-old Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana is relieved that police have a suspect."This morning at 8 o'clock, I received a call from the detective on the case that they made an arrest," said Steven Rodrigues.Last month, Rodrigues' daughter was found strangled to death.Her nude body was left near an alley at Kamehameha Housing where she lived.The suspect is 29-year-old Corbit K. Ahn, who was picked up at his Makiki apartment.Neighbors
were shocked when police stormed up a stairwell to the fourth-floor
apartment where Ahn was arrested. They said he had only lived there
about six months and never given anyone any trouble.Those who knew him say he lived with his wife and children in the corner unit on the top floor of the Maikiki Palms apartments.They said they would see him taking his children out on excursions.A neighbor said Ahn was training for an upcoming mixed-martial arts fight in October.Court records show Ahn has been on probation since 2007 for two class C felonies: breaking into a car and an assault.
"I don't even know this guy," Steven Rodrigues said. " I never seen this
guy in my life, and my daughter never mentioned it to me."But he said other have told him Ahn is related to one of his daughter's friends."I
want the truth to come out if there were more people involved,"
Rodrigues said. "I want justice served. And I hope in Jesus' name this
is the guy, the right guy. And I hope they catch whoever else was
involved."Funeral services for Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana will be held in three weeks.

Police charged a 29-year-old Makiki man yesterday with second-degree
murder in connection with the death of Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana, the
Kalihi teenager whose naked body was found in an alley two weeks ago.

Bail was set at $2 million for Corbit Ahn, of Matlock Avenue. He will make
an initial appearance in court tomorrow morning, officials said.Police
said a sample of DNA taken from Rodrigues-Kaikana's body matched a
profile of Ahn's DNA that had been entered into the Hawai'i State DNA
Index System and the national DNA Index System, which contained more
than 7.2 million offender profiles and 277,215 forensic profiles as of
July.The charges came two weeks to the day that 18-year-old
Rodrigues-Kaikana was killed. Her body was found the following morning
in a pedestrian alley next to the Kamehameha Homes public housing
complex.The Honolulu Medical Examiner's office has listed the cause of death as manual strangulation.Her
father, Steven Rodrigues, said yesterday that he felt some relief after
police detectives notified him that they had charged Ahn."It
puts a relief off of my chest," Rodrigues said. "Now I know that this
is the guy who did the crime. We don't know, though, if there were
other people involved. It was the wrong time and the wrong place for my
daughter."In court documents, police gave this account of the events leading up to the death of Rodrigues-Kaikana: Residents of the apartment on Haka Drive where Rodrigues-Kaikana was visiting
Aug. 23 told police that they heard her telling Ahn to "get off me"
while both were sitting on a couch in the apartment.Shortly
after that, a boy saw Ahn pushing Rodrigues-Kaikana out of the
apartment toward the rear porch. No one remembers seeing
Rodrigues-Kaikana and Ahn together after 11 p.m.The rear of the apartment is near where Rodrigues-Kaikana's body was found.When
police interviewed Ahn, he told them he did not assault
Rodrigues-Kaikana. He also told police he left the apartment for his
home before 11 p.m.A neighbor told police that at 11:35 p.m. she
saw a man who looked like Ahn walking by her Kamehameha Homes apartment
toward the back of the Haka Drive apartment.Later, that same neighbor identified Ahn as the man she saw.Rodrigues-Kaikana's death spurred several people to put up rewards totaling more than
$10,000 for information leading to an arrest.Ahn, who is listed
on Hawai'i martial arts Web sites as a freelance kickboxer, was
arrested Friday at his home in lower Makiki. Court records show he has
four prior convictions, including one for assault and another for
unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle. He was also cited for several
traffic violations.Last night, Rodrigues said he was satisfied that Ahn's bail was high enough that he didn't expect him to be able to post bail."Today makes two weeks since this happened," Rodrigues said. "I feel much
relief now that he's not going to get away with it. I'm very happy on
that part. It had to be one cold-blooded murder. It's so sad."

Prosecutors may seek a life-without-parole punishment for Corbit K.
Ahn, indicted yesterday on charges of sexually assaulting and murdering
18-year-old Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana last month in Kalihi.
Deputy Prosecutor Charlene Ikeda called Ahn a "career criminal" because he was
convicted of second-degree assault and breaking into a motor vehicle in
2007 and is now on five years of probation for those offenses.Those
same convictions also qualify Ahn to be prosecuted as a "persistent
offender" and if he is convicted, the state can seek an "extended term"
of sentencing beyond the normal punishment for second-degree murder,
life in prison with the possibility of parole.Ahn, 29, was arrested by police last weekend on a charge of second-degree murder.According
to a police affidavit, Ahn and Rodrigues-Kaikana were present in a
Kamehameha Homes apartment the night before her nude body was
discovered in a nearby dirt alley.Police also reported that DNA evidence found on the victim's body matched Ahn's DNA.Ahn's lawyer, Donald Wilkerson, said it is "ridiculous" to classify Ahn as a career criminal.Wilkerson, who asserted earlier this week that police may have tampered with
evidence in the Ahn case, found it significant yesterday that
authorities have now included the third-degree sex assault charge
against his client."That implies that they don't have DNA evidence," Wilkerson said.The
third-degree charge usually involves fondling or other sexual contact
that wouldn't be expected to produce DNA evidence, Wilkerson indicated.He
repeated his claim that evidence may have been tampered with but again
would not be specific about the allegation. "It's my understanding that
the prosecutor's office is investigating problems with the evidence,"
he said.Jim Fulton, executive assistant to Prosecutor Peter Carlisle, would not comment on Wilkerson's statement.

A prayer walk and candlelight vigil in memory of Iris
Rodrigues-Kaikana will be held at 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Kamehameha
Homes public housing project on North King Street.Rodrigues-Kaikana,
18, was found dead Aug. 24 in an alley next to the housing complex. The
McKinley High School graduate was strangled and police later arrested
Corbit Ahn on a murder charge.Expected to take part in
tomorrow's event are state Rep. John Mizuno, Yuki Kobayashi, the
Honolulu Police Department and the family of Rodrigues-Kaikana. The
family requested that the vigil be held where Rodrigues-Kaikana was
found and that the area be blessed.The public is invited to attend and is asked to bring candles. For information, call Mizuno at 586-6050.

A sea of candles warmed the hearts of community members who have been outraged over the killing of an 18-year-old girl.Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana was killed in Kalihi last month.Monday night, her family led a prayer walk and candlelight vigil in her memory.Organizers
of the prayer walk and candlelight vigil also wanted to bless the crime
scene where Rodrigues-Kaikana was fatally attacked. They blessed the
surrounding area as well.About 200 people gathered outside the Kamehameha Homes public housing project to begin the prayer walk.Her
family, friends, police officers and the community gathered not only to
honor the young girl who wanted to become a police officer, but to
bless the grounds, cleanse angry and broken hearts and win back a
community."To pray for the land here to rid it of sinful stuff
that happened before in the past from our forefathers," Yuki Kobayashi
said.They crowded the sidewalk along North King Street and
covered four blocks before heading toward the alley where
Rodrigues-Kaikana's body was found Aug. 24, where they lit candles,
shed tears and sang Amazing Grace.Rodrigues-Kaikana's young friends and relatives still can't believe she's gone, and her younger sister struggles with her loss."She was really nice. She cared like for everybody. She was always there for you," Ira Kaikana-Rodrigues said.Rodrigues-Kaikana's friends and family placed their lit candles around a makeshift memorial and asked for peace and safety.They lined their candles on the wall that separates Kamehameha Homes from the alley."She's
watching everybody right now, what everybody's doing for her. It's
hard, but I'm doing it day by day," said the grieving father, Steven
Rodrigues. Memorial Services are scheduled for this weekend.Corbit Ahn, a 29-year-old mixed martial arts fighter, was charged with the murder of Rodrigues-Kaikana.

Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana was remembered this afternoon as a spunky, outspoken teen whose bright future will never be realized."The
hardest part is seeing a beautiful life begin to take shape and then
suddenly cut short," said Zelda Sproat, a Word of Life Christian Center
volunteer who mentored Rodrigues-Kaikana. "I don't know if I'll ever
understand why."More than 300 people gathered in the chapel at Borthwick Mortuary in
Downtown Honolulu for her services, which included a eulogy by her
sisters and songs and dances from the church troupes she was a member
of."My sister was taken away from me. Why my sister?" said Irene
Rodrigues, Rodrigues-Kaikana's older sister. "If she was still here I
would tell her how much I love her and thank her for everything she
does."She closed the eulogy with, "I love you Iris."Rodrigues-Kaikana,
18, was a graduate of McKinley High School and worked at the Fort
Street Mall McDonald's. Her nude body was found on the morning of Aug.
24 in a pedestrian alley adjacent to Kamehameha Homes, where she had
been visiting a friend.She had been strangled.Police have charged Corbit Ahn, 29, in the killing.Rodrigues-Kaikana was buried this afternoon at Hawaiian Memorial Park in Kane'ohe. She
is survived by father, Steven Rodrigues; sisters, Irene, Ira and Ilona;
brother, Steven "Ikaika"; grandfather, Antonio "Tony" Rodrigues;
grandmother, Alice Kaikana.

http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Rodrigues-Kaikana-Murder-Suspect-Arrested/NZwvhL8FsESycxWzWOS1Tw.cspx

Rodrigues-Kaikana Murder Suspect Arrested
Reported by: Olena Heu
Email: oheu@khon2.com
Last Update: 9/05/2009 8:14 pm

Rodrigues- Kaikana Murder Suspect Arrested


It's been nearly two weeks since the body of 18-year old Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana was found strangled in a Kalihi alleyway and police have a suspect in custody.

Family members, neighbors and those who didn't even know her say they are relieved and hope police caught the right guy.

Twenty-nine year-old Corbit Ahn was arrested late Saturday night outside his Makiki apartment accused of murdering 18 year-old Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana.

“I am just praying to god that they got the right person,” Iris’ father Steven Rodrigues said.

“I want him prosecuted, I want the maximum you know that they can give this person,” Iris’ mother Gwen Deluca said.

Iris' nude body was discovered by a neighbor nearly two weeks ago in an alley next to Kamehameha Homes.

“Yeah I seen him couple times over here,” neighbor Corrine Yamashita said.

Ahn was a mixed martial artist who was also a trainer according to neighbors.

“He used to come behind to my neighbor’s house and go behind and practice and stuff,” Yamashita said.

Sources tell KHON2 Iris knew Corbit Ahn because he was the brother of her best friend’s boyfriend.

Ahn has a criminal record which includes assault, terroristic threatening and several TRO filings against him.

Sources say Ahn's DNA matched DNA samples taken from Iris' body.

“He didn’t look the type to do this kind of stuffs but I guess now we gotta really watch and wonder,” Yamashita said.

Iris' father and estranged mother say they are thankful an arrest has been made.

“I am glad he was caught you know, praise god for all of this that came down they found her suspect you know the person who done this to her,” Deluca said.

“Now maybe I can have some sleep and have some rest and put some closure to this case,” Rodrigues said.

Iris' father says he has been on a roller coaster ride since his daughter’s body was found.

“My most biggest question is what was the motive why? That’s what I want to know, what was the motive? Because I can’t bring her back alive you know she's in god’s hands right now,” Rodrigues said.

And someone who barely knew her is also overcome with relief.

“Praise god, praise god,” Earl Parker said.

Parker met Iris at the McDonald’s where she worked.

“I have been praying everyday that the person would be caught,” Parker said.

Corbit Ahn has not been charged, he remains at HPD’s main cellblock.

Corbit Ahn Pleads Not Guilty in Murder of Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana

Last Update: 9/17/2009 6:19 pm
Corbit Ahn pled not guilty to charges he strangled and killed 18-year-old Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana.
Corbit Ahn pled not guilty to charges he strangled and killed 18-year-old Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana.
A Makiki man pled not guilty to charges he strangled and killed 18-year-old Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana.

Corbit Ahn appeared via teleconference from Oahu Community Correctional Center.

He is being held on $2 million bail.

Rodrigues-Kaikana's funeral is set for Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary. The service begins at 12:30 p.m.
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Corbit-Ahn-Pleads-Not-Guilty-in-Murder-of-Iris/SbRM7GVbpEqY1Tuls1GMJQ.cspx

Accused murderer Corbit Ahn severely beaten in prison
Reported by: Ron Mizutani
Email: rmizutani@khon2.com
Last Update: 7/01 8:27 am

Accused murderer Corbit Ahn severely beaten in prison

The man accused in the murder of 18-year-old Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana was recently found severely beaten in a cell at Oahu Community Correctional Center. Corbit Ahn's attorney says inmates and adult correctional officers were involved in what he calls an "orchestrated slaughter."

Don Wilkerson says adult corrections officers led his client to an empty cell where he was beaten by 10-to-12 inmates.

Accused murderer Corbit Ahn has been in protective custody at OCCC since September 2009 charged with murder and sex assault in the death of Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana.

"He's been in protective custody because there's been threats made against him," said Wilkerson.

His attorney says on June 19th, the threats became reality.

"Two ACO's took Mr. Ahn up to the third floor of protective custody and put him in a cell alone. Several minutes later 10-to-12 other inmates who are believed convicted felons came into the cell and assaulted and attacked Mr. Ahn."

Ahn's family says he was beaten unconscious.

"He was severely beaten. Stitches to his face, black eyes, his jaw looks like it might be broken although they took a CAT Scan and it doesn't appear to be broken at this time," said Wilkerson.

Ahn also suffered bruised ribs and was taken to the Queen's Medical Center. He's now back at OCCC. His attorney says details of the attack are concerning.

"He was yelling for help. The ACO's down on the first floor where the other inmates were being held, turned the music up high so that his cries for help couldn't be heard," said Wilkerson. "He was left to die. He wasn't found until several hours later and when I say found I may be misstating the fact, he was left there and they retrieve him three or fours later."

Wilkerson says officials from the Department of Public Safety are not commenting and to his knowledge no arrests have been made.

"He could have died very easily and yet the ACO's that were there to protect and guard were actually involved and led Mr. Ahn into the slaughter," said Wilkerson. "It was obviously orchestrated."

Ahn remains in protective custody awaiting his trial in October.

"He's in protective custody and yet he's assaulted and almost killed so I don't know what we do next," said Wilkerson. "He definitely wants his day in court and he wants it as soon as possible."

Department of Public Safety officials say the reported incident is under investigation and to avoid jeopardizing the case they cannot comment.
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Accused-murderer-Corbit-Ahn-severely-beaten-in/DyoPD-w5MUGjLSqyXWqVwA.cspx

New details in Corbit Ahn prison beating
Reported by: Ron Mizutani
Email: rmizutani@khon2.com
Last Update: 7/01 8:00 pm

The mother of the man accused of killing 18-year-old Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana says she wants answers about her son's beating at Oahu Community Correctional Center. KHON2 News first reported on the assault investigation. Tonight new details.

Cynthia Ahn says she was never informed by the Department of Public Safety that her 29-year-old son Corbit Ahn was severely beaten on June 19th while in protective custody.

"The only way I found out was when we went to a visitation and then they said oh, oh, wait something happened to your son," she said.

She was told two adult corrections officers led her son to a holding cell where no one could see him.
snipped
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/New-details-in-Corbit-Ahn-prison-beating/Bf-jKFpujUOAHGlb8H94Tw.cspx

Halo Bill Introduced in Memory of Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana
Reported by: Ron Mizutani
Email: rmizutani@khon2.com
Last Update: 1/19 10:23 pm
The uncle of an 18-year-old woman who was brutally murdered last September is making it his mission to ensure her death will not be in vain. Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana was killed near Farrington High School. That tragedy has now led to the Halo Bill.

The legislation calls for enhanced sentencing for any violent crime committed within 750 feet of a school, while on any school vehicle or within 10 feet of a parked school vehicle.

Darren Weaver is a teacher at Farrington High School who firmly believes schools and the areas that surround them should be safe havens.

"Sacred areas, sacred places to be, places to be safe," said Weaver.

Weaver asked his college football teammate, State Rep. John Mizuno to craft a bill following the tragic death of his niece who was strangled in an alley near the Kamehameha Housing Project.

"I was offended that something happened so close to the school," said Weaver who learned there were no laws in place for harsher penalties for those who commit violent crimes near schools. "They were people picking up women took them to a school on the windward side, brutalized her using the school as an area to do that. Years ago, I remember there was a lady that was murdered by Leileihua High School."

So he came up with the idea of the Halo Bill.

"An area around the schools should be protected with a law so that we can enhance the punishment," he said.

Lawmakers are embracing the idea

"This law will send a message loud and clear that criminals that target and especially target or commit a crime in the areas of our schools will be punished more seriously," said Rep. Kymberly Pine.

"Some of the best pieces of legislation are not drafted by the legislators but by the community members themselves and this is no different in this case," said Rep. Mizuno.

His students are also appreciative of his mission.

"Something like that happening so close to school like to student just like us -- it could happen to anyone of us. 9:30 and that worries a lot of people," said Briana Sabado, a junior at Farrington High School.

"I didn't know this was going to happen -- I just talked to John and it's growing," said Weaver.

An effort that's growing while a family heals.

"Their fingerprints are on this bill," said Mizuno.

Corbit Ahn was charged with murder and sex assault in the Rodrigues-Kaikana case. He remains at Oahu Community Correctional Center where he awaits trial.
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Halo-Bill-Introduced-in-Memory-of-Iris-Rodrigues/o9blmW2EeEa-dUk1MLAZCw.cspx

trying to find an update on the trial

0000082		ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF TRIAL	03/15/2011 13:52	PIPER, CLINTON GREGORY
0000083	SUB	SUBPOENA; NOTICE TO APPEAR IN COURT (DORYN MATSUDA, HPD SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION SECTION)	03/31/2011 14:52	WILKERSON, DONALD LEE
0000084	SUB	SUBPOENA: LESLIE ANN MURAKAMI, HPD SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION SECTION	03/31/2011 14:53	WILKERSON, DONALD LEE
0000085	SUB	SUBPOENA: SAMANTHA KASHIMOTO	03/31/2011 14:53	WILKERSON, DONALD LEE
0000086	SDT	SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM: C/R OR AUTHORIZED REP MOBI PCS/CORAL WIRELESS HOLDING, LLC	04/12/2011 12:39	WILKERSON, DONALD LEE

http://hoohiki1.courts.state.hi.us/jud/Hoohiki/JSAPM52F5.jsp;jsessionid=0000TENZ0PN0WBUDAFRFFGLHM5Y:138m3ojd7?startseq=51

Man found guilty in sex assault and murder of teen

Submitted by HawaiiNewsNow Web Staff
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012, 3:42am

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A jury found a former mixed martial arts fighter guilty of second-degree murder and third-degree sex assault on Monday afternoon. The father of the young Kalihi woman killed said justice had been served, but the family of defendant Corbit Ahn disagreed.

Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana's nude body was discovered in a Kalihi alley in August 2009 near the Kamehameha Homes housing complex. The 2008 McKinley High School graduate had been strangled and sexually assaulted. Prosecutors said Ahn was drunk, and that he left behind DNA evidence on her body and clothes.

"There was only one guy who had big hands enough to grab my daughter. She was only 5'2" and 100 pounds, to grab her by her neck and squeeze her and bust her neck that bad, nobody else could do that," said Steven Rodrigues, the victim's father.

But Ahn's family maintains he is innocent despite the jury's decision.

"She was a really good person because she took care of my grandkids and my heart goes out to them, but by the same token, my son, I don't believe that he would have done that to her," said Cynthia Ahn, the defendant's mother.

Cynthia Ahn fears for her son's life in prison and said he was badly beaten at the Oahu Community Correctional Center in 2010. The family plans to appeal the verdict.

Sentencing is set for July 9. Prosecutors are deciding whether to seek a tougher sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Ahn has a prior felony conviction and two assault cases that are currently pending trial.

http://metrooahu.hawaiinewsnow.com/news/news/90215-man-found-guilty-sex-assault-and-murder-teen