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Judge: Man earns probation, ‘second chance’

WAILUKU — A man who “earned a second chance” was placed on probation Tuesday for abusing and threatening his wife last year.

Edward Iniba Sr., 32, said he went through drug treatment, graduated from parenting classes, obtained the equivalent of a high school diploma and got a job after being released from jail April 30.

He had been jailed for more than a year after being arrested for threatening his wife with a knife and strangling her to the point where she lost consciousness on March 28, 2017. Iniba also was charged with repeatedly violating a court order for protection his wife had obtained.

“I live with the fear of knowing that he is capable of doing such things to me,” his wife said in court Tuesday. “The last thought that crossed my mind before blacking out was that my kids would never have their mother again. This always remains with me, that my life was almost taken.”

She said she now lives on Molokai and doesn’t want Iniba to show up unannounced at her home.

“However, we do have six children involved in this matter,” she said. “It would be very difficult for him to be a father to my children in prison.”

Deputy Prosecutor Emlyn Higa said a report prepared for Iniba’s sentencing was “refreshing,” in reporting that Iniba was doing well.

“He’s shown he can toe the line,” Higa said. “I’d like to see him continue on this path.”

Defense attorney Jon Apo said the goal was that Iniba’s wife and children “become winners here.”

In four criminal cases, Iniba had pleaded no contest to felony abuse, two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening and 13 counts of violating a temporary restraining order.

When he was released from jail on supervision after changing his pleas April 30, Iniba said he thought about how the judge had said Iniba could face 43 years in prison on the charges.

“I wanted to prove to everyone I can do it, that 43 years of my kids missing me is not acceptable,” Iniba said.

He asked 2nd Circuit Judge Peter Cahill to follow a plea agreement recommending probation rather than prison.

Cahill said there was a difference from “the old Edward” who existed before April 30 and “is a danger to the children, to the children’s mother.”

“But right now that’s not the case,” Cahill said. “I appreciate that Edward did not reject the chance he was given. He’s done more in four months than we see many people do in years. He’s had the will, but he’s also had the way.”

Those in the courtroom gallery to support Iniba included Pastor Greg Dela Cruz of Living Way Church in Happy Valley, where Iniba is living.

“No one deserves a second chance,” Judge Cahill told Iniba. “They earn a second chance. You’ve earned a second chance.”

As part of his probation, Iniba was ordered not to consume alcohol or illegal drugs and to complete domestic violence intervention classes. He was ordered not to threaten his wife and not to leave Maui unless he has permission from his probation officer.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.

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