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Suspects In Pali Shooting Enter Pleas

Attorney Plans To Take Case To Trial

POSTED: 2:05 pm HST January 12, 2004
UPDATED: 2:23 pm HST January 12, 2004

The two men charged in a double-murder at the Pali Golf Course Monday pleaded not guilty to all charges. The attorney for one of the defendants said he intends to take this case to trial.

Rodney Joseph Jr.Rodney Joseph Jr., 35, (pictured, left) is charged with murder in the first-degree, which is the murder of more than one person in the same incident. A second suspect, Joseph's cousin, Ethan Motta, 34, (pictured, below right) of the Big Island faces the same charge.

Police said both defendants fired the fatal shots that killed two people at the Pali Golf Course last Wednesday. Sources said the shooting was the result of a gambling dispute.

Romelius Corpuz, 40, died of a gunshot to the head. Lepo Taliese Utu, 44, died of multiple gunshots. Tino Sao, 42, remains in critical condition.

Joseph's attorney said he plans to take this case to trial.

"Eventually, when my client explains what happened and why he was there, his concerns about his own safety, I think 12 independent people will come to a result that's just," attorney Michael Green said.

Ethan MottaBail for both men is set at $1 million each.

As family members looked on, Joseph's attorney asked for a reduction in bail, but the judge denied the request.

Meanwhile, Honolulu police are still looking for a third suspect: Kevin Gonsalves, 33. Authorities consider him armed and dangerous.

The judge set a preliminary hearing for Wednesday, at that time it will be determined if there is enough evidence for the two men to go to trial on the charges against them.

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