Three Oahu Community Correctional Center inmates have been found not guilty in the death of another inmate.
The jury returned its verdict at around 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Bronson Tuitelelepaga, his brother Aaron Tuitelapaga, and Manu Sorenson were on trial for manslaughter in the death of Christopher Vaefaga.
The 36-year-old was found dead in his cell with head injuries on July 6, 2023.
During the two-week trial, his cellmate testified that Vaefaga was beaten on orders of the gang “Murder, Incorporated” for being high on drugs.
The lead prosecutor of the case, deputy attorney general Adrian Dhahkwa, acknowledged the jury’s role in the case.
“While it is not the outcome we hoped for, I want to sincerely thank the members of the jury for their time, their attention, and their courage in deliberating a verdict in a tough case,” said Dhahkwa. “They heard disturbing testimony and were asked to consider evidence from a world most people never see. Their commitment to justice supports our ongoing efforts to restore safety and accountability in our correctional system.”
Source: Hawaii News Now
