Updated: November 24, 2022
After a day of deliberations, a guilty verdict has been reached in the second degree murder trial of Bernard Brown. The verdict was reached at 2:01 p.m. and was unanimous.
He was on trial for the presumed death of his ex-girlfriend Moreira “Mo” Monsalve, who was last seen on the night of Jan. 12, 2014 at Brown’s ʻĪao Parkside residence. Brown had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In closing arguments on Monday, Defense attorney Randall Hironaka called the prosecution’s case a “witch-hunt.” Meanwhile, Deputy Prosecutor Jerry W. Hupp argued that “odd” activity, statements, “mistakes,” and “diversions” by Brown, pointed towards guilt.
The prosecution presented 35 witness since the trial started on Aug. 1, and shared data recovered from Monsalve’s cell phone, which was found broken and in pieces at the bottom of a dumpster near Brown’s residence.
Judge Peter Cahill, who presided over the case, has set sentencing for Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022.
Brown has been referred to adult client services.
Monsalve was 46 years old at the time of her disappearance, and the mother of three.
Her oldest child, Alexis Felicilda was among those who testified during the four week trial. She has been outspoken since the start of the investigation, telling us during an earlier interview that she was very selective about what she shared because of the ongoing investigation.
Moreira Elena Monsalve- Alexis Felicilda (right) with mother Moreira “Mo” Monsalve (left). File photo, courtesy family.
- Moreira Monsalve.
- Photo courtesy mo watch Moreira Monsalve Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/mowatchmoreiramonsalve
Original source: https://mauinow.com/2022/08/25/breaking-bernard-brown-is-found-guilty-in-death-of-moreira-mo-monsalve/