State v. Magbulos

Plaintiff-Appellee State of Hawai'i (State) charged Defendant-Appellant Herwin Magbulos (Magbulos) with second-degree murder for intentionally or knowingly causing the death of Darryle Wong (Wong). Wong resided in an improvised structure in a homeless encampment underneath a freeway viaduct. While in Wong's dwelling, Magbulos stabbed Wong in the stomach and back with two different knives, causing Wong's death. The State asserted that the stabbings were unprovoked and constituted murder; Magbulos *389asserted that he stabbed Wong in self-defense.

The jury found Magbulos guilty as charged. The…