Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho has refused to change the bail of a male teenager who, along with a juvenile, allegedly beat up and robbed a woman inside her home in Chalan Kanoa.
In an order issued Tuesday, Camacho said that given the egregiousness of the alleged crimes and the strength of the government's case, posting a $2,000 bail and the assignment of an unsuitable custodian would not ensure Joshua Limes' presence in court.
The 19-year-old Limes had wanted to be released to his mother as his third party custodian. He also asked the judge to lower his bail to $20,000 and allow him to post just 10 percent of the amount.
The judge found the mother to be unsuitable as a custodian, in part because she was living with the suspect at the time of the alleged crimes and that she appears to have little control over him-mainly based on the mother's own testimony.
Camacho also found the family home to be an unsuitable location for release due to its nearness to the alleged victim.
Camacho said he cannot say that the mother could reasonably assure the defendant's presence in court.
“Thus, the court rejects the proposed modification without prejudice to the defendant to propose more suitable release terms,” the judge said.
At a preliminary hearing last week, the court found probable cause to hold Limes on charges of robbery, assault and battery, disturbing the peace, and conspiracy to commit robbery. The court set his bail at $31,250 cash.
Assistant attorney general Chemere K. McField had opposed lowering Limes' bail from $31,250 to $2,000, saying that Limes had planned the crime with his co-defendant.
The victim was walking home from work on May 28 when Limes approached her from behind, wrapped his arms around her neck, and choked her until she fell unconscious, McField said.
“After executing a robbery, defendant proceeded to punch the unconscious victim in the head several times, as her body lay motionless on the ground,” the prosecutor said.
The weight of evidence stands against Limes, McField said, as his co-defendant has already confessed to all facts relating to the crime.
The co-defendant allegedly confessed that they split the money taken from the victim and that he got his share of $3,000.
Police said the victim, a Chinese woman, had some red marks on her neck and face, and her pants were dirty on the knee portion when a police officer responded to the scene.
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