Suspected murderer mistakenly released

Brian Lee Smith
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HONOLULU – State sheriffs and Hawaii County police are on the lookout for pre-trial detainee Brian Smith.

Smith was supposed to be detained on $1.15 million bail but was erroneously released from Hawaii Community Correctional Center on Tuesday. He was scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon but didn’t show. A bench warrant was issued this afternoon for $2 million dollars. The Department of Public Safety is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the erroneous release.

He is awaiting trial for first and second-degree murder charges, as well as firearms charges including ownership or possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm in the commission of a separate felony.

Smith is 49 years old. He is 5-foot-7 and weighs 130 lbs. He has grey hair and blue eyes.

If you see him, please call 911.