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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, July 6, 2009

Rodney Joseph Jr. sentenced to life for killing 2 at Pali golf course in '04

Advertiser Staff

“Your crimes were terrible crimes,” U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway told murderer Rodney Joseph Jr. this afternoon in ordering him to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Joseph, 40, was convicted of killing two members of a rival criminal group in a brazen afternoon shooting more than five years ago in the parking lot of a Windward Oahu public golf course.
Faletolu Lauti, sister of one of the victims, spoke at the hearing.
“We waited five long years, judge, and I thank God that justice has prevailed,” she said.
Her brother, Lepo Utu Taliese, was shot in the Pali golf course parking lot and ran halfway down the 18th fairway of the Pali golf course before collapsing. Also killed was Romilius Corpuz Jr.
A third victim, Tino Sao, was shot in the face but survived.
Joseph’s co-defendant in the federal racketeering trial, Ethan "Malu” Motta, will be sentenced later.
A third man charged in the case, Kevin “Pancho” Gonsalves, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 27.5 years in prison.
Joseph did not speak at today’s hearing.