Location

Defendant

Date of Crime

Shaun Rodrigues was convicted of robbing Dawn Sugihara and her mother, Diane Sugihara, at gunpoint.  Rodrigues had helped to install an alarm system in the victims' home two weeks before the robbery, during which time Dawn had served him a cold drink.  The victims' initial statements cast doubt on whether they could identify the perpetrator.  Nevertheless, they identified Rodrigues from a suggestive photo lineup in which his photo stood out.  After both victims had picked Rodrigues, both had to be told that he was the man who helped install the alarm system.

No physical evidence connected Rodrigues to the crime.  Rodrigues' family placed him at home on the morning of the crime.  An identical robbery with the same M.O. happened nearby 10 days later when Rodrigues was incarcerated.  In 2004, a prison inmate identified another person as the perpetrator of the crime.  The inmate's story checked out in that the person he identified worked nearby and did not show up for work on the day of the crime.  In May 2006, a fingerprint lifted from Diane's jewelry box was reportedly run through the national database.  Later investigation showed that it was only run, unsuccessfully, against Rodrigues.

In 2006, the Hawaii Supreme Court upheld Rodrigues' conviction.  Prosecutors plan to recommend to the parole board that Rodrigues serve his full 20-year sentence since he has shown no remorse.  (Honolulu Advertiser) (KGMB 9) (Website)  [9/06]

www.victimsofthestate.org

Individual Case Summaries

Main Menu