Judge mulls whether man eligible for court-appointed attorney | News, Sports, Jobs

WAILUKU — A judge questioned whether a Haiku man indicted on multiple counts of attempted murder is eligible for a court-appointed attorney, in light of representations that he had “huge amounts of cash” when he was arrested.

Brian McKeague, 36, pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of second-degree attempted murder, using a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, two counts of first-degree criminal property damage and prohibited possession of a firearm.

He was indicted on the charges last week, following his arrest Aug. 16.

Police said McKeague reportedly became upset when three people went to his residence on Kahiapo Place at 2:45 a.m. that day to retrieve items from McKeague. The three began leaving the property when McKeague fired three shots — one striking the passenger side of a pickup truck, one penetrating the front passenger side windshield of a 2011 Mercedes sedan and a third striking a 48-year-old Waikapu man in the arm, according to police.

When officers located McKeague at Kahului Airport at 1:50 p.m., he was waiting to board a flight to Oregon and had more than $100,000 in cash, according to police.

McKeague is being held without bail in the case.

At his arraignment Thursday in 2nd Circuit Court, Judge Peter Cahill referred to allegations that McKeague “had huge amounts of cash” when he was arrested.

“If someone has that amount of cash, the taxpayers should not be paying for their lawyer,” Cahill said.

Deputy Public Defender Zach Raidmae said the money was presumably seized when McKeague was arrested.

“But that doesn’t mean that the person doesn’t have more,” Cahill said.

He set a hearing Thursday to determine whether McKeague is eligible for a court-appointed attorney.

Attorney Cary Virtue was appointed to represent McKeague when the case was in District Court after the public defender’s office withdrew because of a conflict.

“He’s indicating to me that was his life savings that was seized and put into evidence,” Virtue said.

Cahill said McKeague may own a house.

“People don’t get a free attorney where they have assets,” Cahill said.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.

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