By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2011 Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – The Filipino American accused of fatally stabbing his stepmother last month will face a jury trial on the first week of August after pleading not guilty Thursday (June 2) at his arraignment at a Circuit Court in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Dave S. Koga, Executive Assistant of Communications & Community Affairs of the Prosecuting Attorney’s office in Honolulu, said Charly Hernane was arraigned Thursday on a charge of second-degree murder and had pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Koga said a jury trial is scheduled to open for Hernane the week of Aug. 1.

Because Hernane, 27, cannot post $100,000 bond, he will remain in the Oahu Community Correctional Center pending trial.

Hernane was accused of murdering his adopted mother, Teresita Hernane, in their Kalihi home last May 11. She was found in her bedroom with a stab wound on her head and a kitchen knife next to her body.

Hernane was arrested immediately a few blocks away from the scene of the crime without resistance.

If convicted Hernane faces a maximum life in prison with possibility of parole.

The motive of the killing is still being investigated.

Hernane was reported to have a “violent past and was battling drug addiction.” He spent two years at a drug rehabilitation in the Philippines. He is jobless.

It was reported that Teresita, a former hotel employee, adopted Charly and brought him to Hawaii from the Philippines in 1994.

Her niece, Misshell Dumalan, was checking on Teresita when she discovered her body inside her bedroom. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at: (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)