Not guilty plea in South Kona self-immolation

Not guilty plea in South Kona self-immolation

A 27-year-old Honaunau man Wednesday pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, arson and five other charges stemming from a February incident in which he allegedly set himself afire and attempted to do the same to his ex-girlfriend in South Kona.

Robert Lee York, before 3rd Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Strance, pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted murder, first-degree arson, first-degree terroristic threatening, kidnapping, intentional choking, abuse of a family or household member and second-degree criminal trespassing. Strance set York’s jury trial for 8 a.m. July 31 in Kona.

Strance maintained York’s bail at $66,250, with the condition he remain at least 300 yards from his ex-girlfriend’s home and place of work. He remains held at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

The seven charges stem from a reported incident early Feb. 14 at a Tobacco Road Honaunau home. York allegedly set fire to the front porch of his 26-year-old ex-girlfriend’s home and then doused her and himself with a flammable liquid, according to police. He reportedly then attempted to set them both afire.

York suffered burns that required hospitalization while the ex-girlfriend did not require medical treatment, according to police.

Second-degree attempted murder is punishable by life imprisonment with the possibility of parole and a maximum fine of $50,000, according to Hawaii Revised Statutes. Kidnapping and first-degree arson are class A felonies punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment and maximum fines of $50,000.

First-degree terroristic threatening and intentional choking are class C felonies capable of netting 10 years imprisonment and a fine up to $10,000, according to state law. Abuse, a misdemeanor, carries a one-year term of imprisonment and a $2,000 fine while second-degree criminal trespassing, a petty misdemeanor, carries 30 days imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.