Big Island man sentenced for stabbing his ex-girlfriend multiple times in 2021

A Big Island man was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison for stabbing his ex-girlfriend multiple times and causing her life-threatening injuries more than two years ago.

Cyrus Jabilona, 27, of Hilo pleaded guilty Oct. 2 in Hilo Circuit Court to charges of attempted manslaughter and felony abuse of a family member in connection with stabbing his 25-year-old ex-girlfriend during a domestic abuse incident June 10, 2021, on Kimo Place in Hilo, causing lacerations to her liver and kidney, hemothorax, internal contusions and a fractured rib before stabbing himself several times in his chest and arm.

He was sentenced to serve 20 years for attempted manslaughter, a Class A felony, and a 5-year prison term for the abuse offense, which is a Class C felony. Both sentences are the maximum prison time for each offense.

Jabilona, who was not detained for the majority of the court proceedings in the case after previously posting $525,000 bail, was immediately taken into custody.

The case was initiated by the Hawai‘i Police Department’s South Hilo Patrol and the felony investigation was handled by Detective Richard Itliong of the department’s Area I Juvenile Aid Section. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Hawai’i County Prosecuting Attorneys Ha‘aheo Kaho‘ohalahala and Kirsten Selvig.

“Today’s sentencing holds the defendant responsible for the pain and suffering that he inflicted upon [the victim] and their children and demonstrates our office’s commitment to seek justice for victims and their families.” said Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.