Visitor Accused of Manslaughter Out on Bail

A Pennsylvania man charged with manslaughter after a fatal confrontation in Kailua-Kona last month posted bail Monday, April 12, and has since been released from Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center.

Benjamin Fleming was being held on $250,000 bail for the class A felony, which carries a punishment of up to 20 years imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

During Fleming’s preliminary hearing last week, District Court Judge Cynthia Tai determined there was enough probable cause to move the case into 3rd Circuit Court. He is ordered to appear for an arraignment and plea on Thursday, April 15.

Fleming’s charge stems from a fight that took place on March 29 in Kailua-Kona. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania man is accused of strangling to death his vacation rental roommate, Abhishik Gupta.

According to Hawai‘i Police Department, the altercation between Fleming and Gupta occurred in the early morning hours at a property on Walua Road.

Police reported that Fleming dialed 911 that morning and told responders that Gupta had passed out after drinking too much alcohol. However, an investigation led officers to the conclusion that Gupta died as the result of a physical fight. An autopsy later determined that the cause of Gupta’s death was strangulation.