DATE: April 19, 2018

CASE: Tevita Kaihea & Charlie Hola (Case #15F07862)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Jeff Hightower, Homicide Unit

Tevita Kaihea was convicted by a jury for the first-degree murder of Roman Gonzalez, attempted murder, two counts of robbery, vehicle theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Charlie Hola was convicted for the second-degree murder of Roman Gonzalez, two counts of robbery, vehicle theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The jury also found true multiple firearm allegations and gang enhancements for both defendants.

Tevita Kaihea and Charlie Hola are members of the Tongan Crip criminal street gang.  On September 3, 2015, Kaihea and Hola stole a car from the 47th Avenue Light Rail Station.  They drove the stolen car to a Church’s Chicken on Florin Road, where they committed an armed robbery. They then shot a south Sacramento resident in the face when the resident noticed the two acting suspiciously in the neighborhood.  That victim survived the shooting.  After dumping the car near Sacramento City College, Kaihea and Hola got into a gang fight ending in the shooting death of Norteno gang member Roman Gonzalez.  Kaihea shot and killed Roman Gonzalez on the Sacramento City College campus.

Kaihea faces a maximum sentence of 113 years to life in prison.  Hola faces a maximum sentence of 49 years to life in prison.  Sentencing is set for May 18, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in Department 12 before the Honorable Maryanne Gilliard.