Waiser Walter, 35, pleaded guilty on Jan. 23 to murder and attempted murder in the October 2016 stabbing that killed 4-year-old Jeremiah and critically injured the child’s aunt, Imaculata Roke. Roke, who had been living with Walter and described him as an adopted brother, survived life-threatening wounds. Prosecutor Steve Alm called the attack "brutal and senseless," and officials said they will seek the maximum sentence. Walter faces up to life in prison and is due to be sentenced in February.
A Decade Later, Hawaii Man Pleads Guilty in 2016 Fatal Stabbing of 4-Year-Old
Waiser WalterHonolulu Police Department
A Hawaii man has pleaded guilty nearly 10 years after a brutal October 2016 stabbing that killed a 4-year-old boy and nearly cost the child’s aunt her life.
On Jan. 23, 35-year-old Waiser Walter entered guilty pleas to charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with the case, according to reports from People, KHON, Hawaii News Now and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Authorities say the victim, a 4-year-old boy identified as Jeremiah, suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest and died at the scene. The boy’s aunt, Imaculata Roke—who had been living with Walter and described him as an adopted brother—sustained life-threatening stab wounds to her back but survived after emergency treatment.
"A 4-year-old child lost his life in a brutal and senseless attack, and his aunt survived only after enduring unimaginable trauma," Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm said in a statement reported by the Star-Advertiser.
The prosecutor’s office said the guilty pleas hold Walter accountable, spare the victim’s family and witnesses the pain of reliving the events at trial, and that prosecutors will seek the maximum sentence allowed under law to protect the community and honor the life that was taken.
Walter now faces a possible sentence of up to life in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced in February. The case and the recent pleas were covered by People, KHON, Hawaii News Now and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
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