Trial in gruesome Hawaii Loa murder case pushed back amid plea deal talks

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The man charged in the gruesome Hawaii Loa Ridge murder last year was back in court Tuesday for a status conference to reschedule his trial.

The defense asked the trial be pushed back again because they’re awaiting a response from the state amid plea deal talks. Details of accused murderer Juan Baron’s proposed deal, announced in late October, haven’t been released but he’s charged with murder, theft, and identity theft.

The court granted the motion to reschedule the trial, which is now set for Oct. 14.

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Prosecutors allege 24-year-old suspect was romantically involved with the victim, 73-year-old Gary Ruby. Baron allegedly killed Ruby, encased his body in a bathtub with concrete and coffee grounds, and then tried to gain ownership of Ruby’s home and car.

Baron’s attorney, Myles Breiner, filed a motion to dismiss the case in July, citing prosecutorial misconduct. Breiner said the deputy prosecutor on the case was presenting confidential evidence to the public in seminars to educate Kupuna about elder abuse and fraud.

That evidence included crime scene photos that showed the bathtub in which Ruby’s body was discovered, according to Breiner’s motion. The deputy prosecutor involved was fired.

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