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Murder charge dropped for now in Kahului case

WAILUKU — A second-degree murder charge has been dismissed against a man who was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting last year at a Kahului residence.

The prosecution asked that the murder charge and others brought against Bronsen Rodrigues, 30, of Haiku be dismissed without prejudice, meaning the charges could be brought again.

In addition to second-degree murder, Rodrigues had been charged with first-degree robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, three counts of first-degree terroristic threatening and two counts of prohibited weapons possession.

He was arrested after the early-morning shooting July 25 of 24-year-old Melvin Santos at a residence on Kea Street that was known to be a gambling house where card games were held regularly, according to court documents.

Witnesses told police that four masked men showed up at the home and threatened people with a rifle and handgun before 3 a.m.

Santos reportedly tried to hide in a small storage room in the garage and was shot through the door, police said. Santos reportedly stabbed the shooter with a fishing spear while trying to keep the shooter out of the room, according to a court document. Police recovered a drop of blood just outside the door, the document says.

Court documents indicate Rodrigues had planned to present an alibi defense in his trial, which had been scheduled to begin Jan. 3 before the case was dismissed.

The order dismissing the charges was dated Dec. 22.

While he is no longer charged in the murder case, Rodrigues is being held at the Maui Community Correctional Center in probation violation cases, court records show.

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