The case of a 70-year-old Hilo man accused of a fatal-hit-and-run collision last week that killed an elderly Hilo woman is scheduled to face a judge in a higher court today.
Carlton Inada appeared Monday before Hilo District Judge Jeffrey Hawk for a scheduled preliminary hearing. Instead, Deputy Prosecutor Heipua Ah Loy informed the judge that Inada was “info charged” by the state.
The charges — second-degree negligent homicide and leaving the scene of a collision — remain the same, as does Inada’s bail amount, $100,000. The information charge — a procedure in which a judge signs off on the prosecutor’s charges — moves Inada’s case from Hilo District Court to Hilo Circuit Court, nullifying the need for a preliminary hearing to establish probable cause.
Inada is accused of the Oct. 3 hit-and-run collision on Akolea Road in Hilo that killed 79-year-old Barbara Klein, a respected longtime aikido instructor.
According to court documents filed by police, Inada told officers that he intentionally hit Klein — who was pedaling a recumbent tricycle in the middle of the southbound lane — with his 2016 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck to teach her a lesson for “just going slow all the time.”
Police reportedly found the Tacoma’s license plate at the crash scene, and Inada, who was arrested at his home, admitted he did not stop or render aid to Klein after the collision, according to the documents.
During Monday’s court appearance, Inada was accompanied by Deputy Public Defender Arthur Indiola.
“If I may, judge, on behalf of Mr. Inada, Mr. Inada respectfully requests a reduction in bail,” Indiola told Hawk.
“Mr. Inada, you’re in kind of an unusual situation,” Hawk replied. “I am a District Court judge. I have jurisdiction over the case as long as it’s in District Court.
“You’ve been charged in Circuit Court, which is a different court, and I don’t have any power over that court. That court has a bench warrant for your arrest in the amount of $100,000, so I can’t do anything about that.”
“Can I ask tomorrow, Your Honor?” asked Inada, who will have to be rearrested and booked for the information charge prior to a Circuit Court appearance.
Hawk didn’t answer Inada’s question directly, but told Inada he would not appear in District Court again until Oct. 16, a “control date” set in case Inada isn’t rearrested or arraigned prior to that date.
According to court records, Inada has a 1:30 p.m. arraignment and plea hearing today before Hilo Circuit Judge Peter Kubota.
Inada remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
