Judge delays decision on mental evaluation in 2018 murder case

KAILUA-KONA — Another delay cropped up in the case of two Puna women accused of murder in the 2018 death of a 6-year-old boy.

Kuuipo and Ashley Nihipali appeared Thursday in Kona Circuit Court for a return on a mental evaluation of Kuupio Nihipali. The hearing was continued after Judge Robert D.S. Kim revealed the court only received two of the three doctor’s reports.

The court will now take up the matter in early January 2020. If Kuuipo Nihipali is found fit, a new trial date will be set. The women are being tried together.

The women are accused in connection with the death of 6-year-old Mazen Kaniela Nihipali-Moniz on Halloween 2018 and abusing him and his siblings for months prior at an apartment complex in Kealakehe.

Kuuipo Nihipali is charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count of second-degree murder as principal and/or accomplice, six counts of second-degree felony abuse of a family or household member as principal and/or accomplice, first-degree hindering prosecution as principal and/or accomplice, tampering with evidence as principal and/or accomplice, and two counts first-degree terroristic threatening as principal and/or accomplice, according to an indictment handed down July 31.

Ashley Nihipali faces one count of second-degree murder as principal and/or accomplice, six counts of second-degree felony abuse of a family or household member as principal and/or accomplice, first-degree hindering prosecution as principal and/or accomplice, tampering with evidence as principal and/or accomplice, and two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening as principal and/or accomplice, according to the indictment.

Each pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Both remain confined at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $1 million bail.

Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.