HONOLULU -- Four years after three men were shot at the Pali Golf Course the fate of the three suspects in the case is in limbo again.

A federal judge Tuesday said their plea agreements may be illegal, because the killers would get less than life in prison.

Their plea agreements guaranteed Ethan Motta, Rodney Joseph Jr. and Kevin Gonzalves less than 28 years in prison for killing two men in a battle over who would provide security for local gambling houses. That deal is now in jeopardy because the judge says it might be illegal.

The broad daylight shooting at Pali Golf Course shocked the community and challenged the courts.

The case seemed resolved in February when Motta, Joseph and Gonzalves pleaded guilty in return for no more than 27.5 years in prison.

A huge crowd of supporters and family at federal court on Tuesday were shocked to hear Judge Susan Oki Mollway say the agreements may not be legal.

"It's very rare that they are not granted by the court approved by the court because both parties are in agreement this is a rare occasion," defense attorney William Harrison said.

The judge in order to give the men less than life in prison for murder she would have to find that they substantially assisted the government in prosecution. She said just pleading guilty or getting someone else to plead guilty was not enough.

Aitu Utu is the brother of murdered Lepo Taliese. He remained philosophical despite waiting four years.

"Our family forgive them and they should do the same thing ask for forgiveness. The ultimate judge will be God," Utu said.

Kai Ming Wang was sentenced Tuesday. He was the one who hired the men to provide protection for his gambling house. He got 27 months -- equivalent to the amount he has already served and now will be deported to China, where he will stay if the case finally goes to trial.

"I think that they have a problem getting people back from China," Harrison said.

"I know that ultimately justice will be served, yeah," Utu said.

The judge gave prosecutors and defense attorneys until July to try to come up with a new plea agreement that could satisfy her concerns.