Suspect in alleged Puna triple homicide indicted

HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) – The man accused of three murders on Hawaii Island in May has been indicted.

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The County of Hawaii Office of the Prosecuting Attorney announced Friday that Jacob Baker, 36, of Puna, was indicted in connection with the murders of Robert Shine, Chitta Morse, and John Carse in Puna in late May, along with a series of property crime offenses.

Baker was arrested May 28 after days on the run.

Prosecutors said Baker made his first court appearance in June, where an examination of his fitness to proceed and penal responsibility was ordered.

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On Thursday, he appeared back in court for the return of his indictment warrant.

He was indicted on:

Murder in the First Degree carries a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The court has scheduled a hearing to detain Baker without bail as he awaits a mental assessment, which is set for Aug. 11.

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