February 20, 2020

A Circuit Court judge handed down one of the strongest sentences in Hawai`i state history this morning.

Circuit Judge Paul B.K. Wong sentenced Brandon Fetu Lafoga to two consecutive life sentences for attempted murder and gun charges.  This ensures Lafoga will never be released on parole.

At trial, prosecutors proved that in September 2015 Lafoga shot Kele Stout four times with a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun.  Lafoga then drove Stout to a store in Maili.  When Lafoga went inside to buy accelerant to burn Stout’s body and work van, Stout managed to escape and drove himself to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center where he received life-saving treatment.

Acting Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Nadamoto said, “This is an outstanding result that accurately reflects the heinousness of Lafoga’s crimes. I congratulate the Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys David Van Acker and Wilson Unga who worked tirelessly to help ensure the safety of our community.”

Ranier Ines, Lafoga’s accomplice, will be sentenced July 30, 2020.  He also faces a life sentence.