Convicted killer’s outburst in court leads to maximum sentence

HAIKU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Four years after a Maui man beat his friend to death, he erupted in court on Monday when the prosecutor asked for the maximum sentence.

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Last year, jurors convicted Mike Pharisien, 54, for the reckless manslaughter of Steven Holm, 54, in Haiku in 2022.

Pharisien’s attorneys said he is insane and belongs in a mental hospital, not prison.

Outburst in court

When Deputy Prosecutor Johann Smith asked the judge for the maximum sentence of 20 years, Pharisien erupted.

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“Where’s the evidence!” Pharisien shouted.

When the judge scolded him, Pharisien got even more upset.

“Hey! Mr. Pharisien,” the judge said.

“Where’s the evidence! There’s no evidence! There’s no evidence you ******,” Pharisien said as he was kicked out of the courtroom.

Prosecution and defense arguments

Smith said the Pharisien deserves the maximum sentencing of 20 years.

“The defendant beat Steve Holm to death for no good reason and that the defendant was not criminally insane when he did it and that the defendant is completely responsible and has only himself to blame and that he is in every way guilty of this disgusting crime, which should put him behind bars for two decades,” Smith said.

Pharisien’s attorney, William Pannell, argued for probation.

“Apart from his outburst in court today and from the accusations of people in conflict with him. He earned a college degree, a real estate license. He worked for years in California, and he moved to Maui in 2012 for one reason, to care for his dying mother,” Pannell said.

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Sentence and next steps

Judge Kirstin Hamman sentenced Pharisien to the full 20 years.

He is eligible for parole.

Pannell said they plan to appeal the judge’s decision.