Jacob Baker, 36 of Pāhoa, was denied bail Monday during his initial appearance in Hilo District Court after being charged with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder.
Baker was arrested Friday following a three-day manhunt. He was the lone suspect in the homicides of three elderly men in three locations that took place on the evening of May 22 and on May 23, according to the Hawaiʻi Police Department.
The first-degree murder charge pertains to “intentionally or knowingly killing two or more people,” and the second-degree murder charges relate to the three slain victims, police said.
The Hawaiʻi Police Department has substantial evidence that links Baker to the murders of Robert Shine, 69, Chitta Morse, 79, and John Carse, 69, according to the application for probable cause.
Judge Jeffrey Hawk denied bail due to the serious risk of danger Baker poses to the community.
“The charges are extremely serious,” Hawk said. “It is alleged he has killed three people over the age of 60 in a brutal manner. Based upon the severity of accusations, there are public safety concerns, therefore the court will deny bail at this time.”
Deputy Public Defender Arthur Indiola stated Monday that Baker was unresponsive to his persistent attempts at communication and requested a “704 examination,” which refers to a forensic evaluation to determine a criminal defendant’s mental fitness to stand trial and/or penal responsibility (sanity) at the time of the alleged offense.
Hawk granted the 704 examination, which involves a panel of three court-appointed professionals, generally including a community-based psychiatrist, a community-based psychologist and a Hawaiʻi Department of Health psychologist.
The examination will take approximately eight weeks and is due on Aug. 4, 2026.
Baker is scheduled to appear back in court at 10 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2026, for a status hearing on the examination.
First degree murder carries a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole. As to the three second degree murder offenses, Baker also is subject to a potential penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole for each charge because prosecutors have provided notice of an intention to seek an enhanced sentence and an extended term of imprisonment pursuant to state statutes.
Baker also is charged with first degree burglary, first degree theft, first degree unauthorized control of propelled vehicle, first degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, fourth degree theft and two counts of fourth degree criminal property damage.
“The filing of these charges is just the first step in seeking justice for the Morse, Shine, Carse ‘ohanas and our Hawai‘i Island community,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen in a news release.
