Attorney seeks release for teen suspect in North Shore mob beating case

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A 17-year-old suspect accused in a mob assault case is seeking release from custody, according to his attorney.

Read more 500-foot mural to be unveiled on Kauai’s north shore

The case stems from a violent incident nine days ago at Waialee Beach that left a 15-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man with serious injuries. Seven suspects have since been arrested in connection with the attack.

Attorney Eric Seitz represents one of the seven suspects.

“I don’t know how that fight broke out, but my client was not involved in either fight. He actually is seen on video telling them to stop and trying to break it up when he is hit in the back of the head by the lifeguard. And then he turns around and he engages with the lifeguard,” Seitz said.

The lifeguard, Kekoa Tamale, previously told Hawaii News Now he intervened after seeing the teen victim being attacked.

“Everyone was either filming, laughing, or ran, so no one was helping this boy and if I didn’t do anything, he would’ve died,” Tamale said.

Of the seven suspects arrested, only one has been publicly identified. Nineteen-year-old Tristen Pakele-Picanco was released after posting bond. The remaining six suspects are juveniles whose cases are being handled in family court.

Seitz criticized how his client’s actions have been portrayed and said the 17-year-old has no prior record.

Read more New Honolulu art exhibit to explore nature’s patterns in art and science

“First of all, the lifeguard was not an innocent party as he portrays himself. There’s this apparently mythical image about this whole thing that this 23-year-old lifeguard came by and came to the rescue of the 15-year-old, which is just simply untrue…From my perspective, my client, who’s a 17-year-old, straight A student, has no record of any kind, has been held without bail on an alleged charge of attempted assault,” Seitz said.

He added he hopes his client is released soon and noted the next hearing is scheduled for June 17.

“At the very latest, I hope he’s out of jail tomorrow because he doesn’t have another hearing scheduled until the 17th of June,” he said.

The incident has sparked concern in the community, with some residents calling for stronger efforts to address youth violence and conflicts.

“You got to live with the consequences, and no matter if you’re a youngin or you’re an adult, bro, you got to pay your dues for your crimes cause,” said Kekoa Carvalho, president of Ghost Hawaii.

“In that moment, everybody around, everybody be the tough guy, but nothing about that whole situation was tough, and I know that firsthand,” he said.

Read more ‘Second to none’: Honolulu mayor appoints new zoo director

Pakele-Picanco is scheduled to appear in court June 12.