Preliminary Hearing Scheduled for Hilo Man Accused of Assaulting Elderly Victim

A Hilo District Court judge maintained bail for a 27-year-old man accused of beating an elderly man in downtown Hilo earlier this week.

Chad Kalenakai Gahan Armitage Jr. appeared in court Wednesday for his initial appearance on charges of two counts of first-degree assault and second-degree robbery. Armitage pleaded not guilty, and Judge Bruce Larson maintained bail at $75,000.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, July 15.

A probable cause statement filed with District Court indicated a couple reportedly observed Armitage assaulting the 68-year-old man on Keawe Street at about 12:43 p.m. Sunday, July 10.

According to the PC statement, the witness reportedly observed Armitage standing over and punching the victim, who was on the ground. The witness also allegedly saw the 27-year-old punch the 68-year-old in the stomach and face and allegedly began “stomping” on his face.

The suspect fled the scene as witnesses began to approach the victim. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses allowed officers to identify Armitage as the suspect.

Hawai‘i police officials confirm the victim is stabilized but remains in critical condition. Doctors told police the victim’s injuries were serious with a substantial risk of death.

Armitage spoke to police following his arrest. According to the PC statement, the Hilo man knew the victim, considered him a friend, but told investigators “he got what he deserved.”

According to court documents, Armitage claimed the victim owed him money from a bet. According to the PC statement, Armitage told police the victim paid him $5 and he still owed $15.

“Armitage explained that after talking [expletive] to him and insulted his baseball team he got mad and that’s why he did what he did,” the PC statement reads.