Prosecutors secure indictment, request accused Puna murderer Jacob Baker be detained without bail

The 36-year-old Puna man accused of killing three elderly Big Island men in May was indicted July 23 by a Hilo grand jury for first- and second-degree murder and several additional offenses.

Hawai‘i County prosecuting attorney’s office says Jacob Baker was indicted in Hilo Circuit Court and charged with 11 total offenses:

• First-degree murder (intentionally or knowingly caused the death of more than one person in the same or separate incidents).
• 3 counts of second-degree murder (intentionally or knowingly caused the death of another person).
• First-degree burglary.
• First-degree theft.
• First-degree unauthorized control of a propelled Vehicle.
• First-degree unauthorized entry into a motor Vehicle.
• Fourth-degree theft.
• 2 counts of fourth-degree criminal property damage.

Prosecutors also moved to detain Baker without bail, with the court setting a hearing for Aug. 11 for the request.

The indictment stems from the murders of 69-year-old Robert Shine of Papaya Farms Road; 79-year-old Chitta Morse also of Papaya Farms Road, who lived only about 500 feet away from Shine’s property; and 69-year-old John Carse of Kalapana-Kapoho Road.

Baker led Big Island, state and federal authorities on a multi-day manhunt, pushing the Puna community to the edge, with residents of the district and beyond scared, uneasy, angry, frustrated, grieving and with deep concern, worried there could be even more killings the longer he was on the lam.

The nearly 4-day search for the 36-year-old ensued after the first murder May 25. It came to an end about 2:45 p.m. May 28, when Baker was found hiding in a small cave in the Kaimū Cove area of Kalapana in lower Puna.

He was subsequently arrested without incident.

Baker made his initial court appearance June 1 in Hilo District Court, during which the court ordered an examination of Baker’s fitness to proceed and penal responsibility. The Circuit Court on Thursday also ordered an examination of Baker’s fitness to proceed and penal responsibility, consistent with the District Court request.

First-degree murder carries a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole, if convicted.

Prosecutors provided notice of their intent to seek an enhanced sentence and extended term of imprisonment on each second-degree murder charge, meaning Baker also could face the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted

Baker’s initial arrest was made by Hawai‘i Police Department Puna Patrol. The felony investigations were led by Detectives Duane Rapoza, Daniel Tam and Joseph Picadura with the department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Hawai’i County Prosecuting Attorneys Patrick Muñoz and Woodrow Pengelly.