Namauu found guilty of second-degree murder | News, Sports, Jobs

May 2024 · 4 minute read

Defendant Justin Namauu sits silently next to attorney Steven Slavitt as the jury is polled after its unanimous guilty verdict was announced in 2nd Circuit Court Judge Michelle Drewyer’s courtroom Wednesday afternoon. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

A 2nd Circuit Court jury has found Justin Namauu, 48, guilty of murdering Dennis Pacheco of Kanaio more than five years ago on May 21, 2018.

The unanimous verdict was handed down Wednesday afternoon in Judge Michelle Drewyer’s courtroom following a day and a half of jury deliberations. Namauu was found guilty on all four counts he was charged with, including: second-degree murder, carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, being a felon in possession of a pistol and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

“I’m just grateful that the outcome was guilty,” said the victim’s mother, Eleanor Pacheco. “We waited five years for this. Finally, justice has been served. This is for all our family.”

Eyewitness Christine Mendes testified that Namauu burst into her Kanaio residence and shot Dennis Pacheco, 45, in her bed and moments later, as he lie on the floor. His head only grazed by the first shot, Pacheco was trying to escape and Mendez was trying to help him by hitting Namauu with the flat of a machete, when the defendant flung her to the ground and pointed the gun at her, she said. Pacheco returned to help, only to be knocked to the ground and fatally shot, she said.

The defense claimed Pacheco and Mendes rushed Namauu, a struggle for the gun ensued and it went off twice, killing Pacheco.

“I’m disappointed by the jury verdict,” said defense attorney Steven Slavitt. “I thought it would be at least guilty of manslaughter. We will probably appeal.”

Following the shooting on May 21, 2018, Namauu reportedly forced Mendes to help him move the body before he eventually hid it in an unknown location on the slopes of Haleakala. Police were still searching for Dennis Pacheco’s body on May 25 when Namauu guided officers to a Kahikinui location where it reportedly had been stashed.

In 2019, Namauu asked then 2nd Circuit Court Judge Richard Bissen to recuse himself from presiding over the case because Namauu was previously convicted of a felony and sentenced by Bissen. The judge denied the request and the case was put on hold while the defense appealed the ruling. On Jan. 16, 2020 the Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld Bissen’s ruling.

Deputy Prosecutor Carson Tani said Namauu managed to drag the case along for another four years by firing attorneys and filing for continuances.

“I’m happy for the Pacheco family,” Tani said after the verdict. “They have been very patient. This case is five and a half years old.”

Outside the courtroom, Dennis Pacheco’s sister, Beverly Pacheco, shared tears and hugs with their mother.

“We’ve only got pictures and memories of my brother,” she said. “I feel so sad. I just thank everybody who was with us. He was a jack of all trades. He was funny. He would always make us laugh at the craziest moments.”

Mom Eleanor said he would be so proud of his growing family.

“It’s just sad that he’s not here to see his sons and his beautiful grandson,” she said. “They are doing so good. He was one of a kind. God must have broke the mold when they made him. Nobody can fill his shoes.”

They said Dennis was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He reportedly was helping Mendes with her broken-down vehicle when it got late and he spent the night sleeping on the couch, intending to finish the job the next morning. He got into her bed moments before Namauu arrived, Mendes said, insisting they were friends and there was nothing going on between them.

In a search of Namauu’s home after the shooting, Maui police reported recovering five rifles, 14 calibers of ammunition, three spent .38-caliber casings and a live .38-caliber casing. As a convicted felon, with six felony convictions since 1995, he was not permitted to possess firearms or ammunition.

Namauu faces a life sentence with the possibility of parole for the second-degree murder charge. The lesser charges each carry sentences between 10 and 20 years. Sentencing is set for April 24.

Defendant Justin Namauu sits silently next to attorney Steven Slavitt as the jury is polled after its unanimous guilty verdict was announced in 2nd Circuit Court Judge Michelle Drewyer’s courtroom Wednesday afternoon. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

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