State v. Vaimili

Opinion of the Court by

NAKAMURA, C.J.

Plaintiff-Appellee State of Hawai'i (State) charged Defendant-Appellant Joseph Vaimili (Vaimili) in an amended complaint with kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree promoting prostitution, and carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony. The charges stemmed from allegations by the complaining witness (GW) that Vaimili became her pimp, and then Vaimili kidnapped her, physically abused her, and threatened her at gun point.

Vaimili was released on bail and appeared for certain pre-trial proceedings and for jury…