HONOLULU (AP) — Prosecutors argued Tuesday that an Oahu man delivered the fatal blow that killed his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter two years ago. ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — Prosecutors argued Tuesday that an Oahu man delivered the fatal blow that killed
HONOLULU (AP) — Prosecutors argued Tuesday that an Oahu man delivered the fatal blow that killed his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter two years ago.
Opening statements before Judge Glen Kim have begun in the second-degree murder trial for Joshua Kalili, KITV-TV reported.
Kalili was indicted in May 2015 for the death of Styzilee Reyes-Butay.
The child died after being taken to a hospital on Oct. 21, 2014, with what police said were suspicious injuries.
The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a homicide.
“These injuries were caused by blunt force trauma to the abdomen that means something hard and solid and blunt struck Styzilee in the stomach with enough force to tear a hole in her intestines,” Prosecutor Kelsi Guerra said Tuesday.
The medical examiner discovered more than two dozen bruises on the child’s body, according to the prosecution.
But Kalili’s attorney, Randall Hironaka, painted a different picture, saying Styzilee had been ill the week before she died with stomach flu.
Hironaka said his client had taken the girl to the hospital the day she died after she fell off a stool in the bathroom.
“Nobody will take that stand and tell you that they saw Joshua strike, shove, kick, punch or otherwise harm Styzilee on October 21, 2014,” Hironaka said
Kalili faces life in prison with the possibility of parole if convicted.
Subscribe today for unlimited access.
Already a subscriber?
Login
Not ready to subscribe?
Register for limited access.
If you have a print subscription but require digital access,
activate your account.
