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WAILUKU -- A 61-year-old man who rammed his wife's car and threatened a man with a machete was given 300 days in jail with credit for time served and four years years' probation.
Second Circuit Judge Peter Cahill on Nov. 17 followed a plea agreement in the sentencing and also ordered Anthony Limas to not have any contact with his wife, Inez Paleka, her brother, Francis Hussey, and the Hussey home in Lahaina.
During sentencing, Limas said he has "no excuse whatsoever" for his actions on June 2.
Limas said he felt like kicking himself in the rear end and noted his age -- "I don't have much time left," he said.
During his change of plea, which occurred right before sentencing, Limas admitted he chased after his wife in his car. But he added that when he later went to his wife's family home, he brought the machete in self-defense and did not go there to harm anyone.
But Deputy Prosecutor J.W. Hupp said Limas "has earned his way to a year in jail."
He said Limas caused extensive damage to his wife's vehicle when he rammed it three times.
Later at the family home, Lima again caused trouble by bringing a machete, Hupp said.
The prosecutor added that Hussey, who was at the home, stayed calm.
"It could have gone bad," Hupp said.
Defense attorney Brandon Segal said he was not going to minimize the case but said Limas took responsibility for the incidents and is a good candidate for probation.
He added that Limas did not want to take actions that would require the victim to come to court to testify even though he could.
In the case, Limas pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal property damage, first-degree burglary and third-degree assault, according to court records.
In the incident, Paleka said during a preliminary hearing on June 21 that she lost control of her car, which was pushed into oncoming traffic and onto a dirt shoulder when it was struck three times by a vehicle driven by her husband on June 2.
Paleka's car was in the dirt on the makai side of Honoapiilani Highway near Papalaua State Park. She said Limas also put his hands into her car.
She managed to drive away, but Limas showed up at the family home later in the evening. Hussey said Limas held a machete at a 45-degree angle, with the blade toward Hussey. Later Limas put the machete on the floor and he and Hussey talked before police arrived and arrested Limas, according to court testimony.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.