A murderer at age 15 and a history of violence that didn’t end there.
John Sua is now serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for an attempted murder that left another man paralyzed.
But how much time must he spend behind bars before getting out?
It’s something the Hawaii Paroling Authority will have to answer now that Sua is asking to have his minimum sentence reduced.
Zosimo Abella spent most of the past 22 years lying in a hospital bed. Unable to do much for himself, he relied on his family to take care of him.
“My mom was always in the hospital to assist him, because he cannot eat by himself, cannot scratch his face, itchy, have somebody there,” said his brother, Jose Abella.
“He needed constant care?” KHON2 asked.
“Yeah,” Jose Abella said.
In September 1994, Sua stabbed Zosimo Abella in the neck with a kitchen knife, leaving him paralyzed. His brother said he was later diagnosed with a brain tumor and died on Monday.
In addition to mourning his death, the Abella family is also dealing with the possibility of Sua getting out of prison.
“What does your family say about John Sua being released? KHON2 asked.
“They’re scared. We’re all scared,” says Jose.
Sua was sentenced to life in prison with a 30-year minimum. That means he’s not eligible for parole until 2024.
The Hawaii Paroling Authority says Sua is now asking for a reduction of his minimum sentence. It’s an option for inmates who are serving long sentences.
The Hawaii Parole Board says inmates are allowed to apply for a reduction of their minimum sentence after serving a third of it, so in Sua’s case, he could have applied for it in 2004.
KHON2 asked what the authority will consider in making its decision. We learned it will review the request by checking Sua’s criminal record, his conduct while he’s been in prison, as well as ask for input from the victim’s family.
At 15 years old, Sua was convicted of murder for a shooting a Marine. He served time in a Youth Correctional Facility and, as required by law, was released when he was 19.
An official with the paroling authority says fewer than 20 percent of those who apply are granted a reduction of their minimum sentence.
Public safety officials say Sua is currently serving his sentence at a prison in Virginia.
If the parole board decides to review his application to reduce his minimum sentence, it will be in either April or May.