Suspect in Puna triple homicide charged with multiple murder counts

HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) – The suspect in a triple homicide case in Puna was charged Saturday.

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Court records show Jacob Daniel Baker, 36, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder. No bail was set.

A first-degree murder charges is relatively rare in Hawaii, and is only issued if there are more than one death, or if a suspect is accused in the deaths of a law enforcement officer, judge or prosecutor. It has a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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Baker is scheduled to appear in court Monday, June 1, in Hilo. Prosecutors are expected to ask a judge to hold Baker without bail.

Police initiated a search for Baker after finding the bodies of three men: Robert Shine, 69, Chitta Morse, 79, and John Carse, 69.

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Police identified Baker as the suspect in all three murders.

A candlelight vigil in honor of the victims was set for Saturday in Kapoho.