Police: Maui Man Charged in Death of Co-Worker

William Ranep. MPD photo.

By Wendy Osher

A Napili man in scheduled to be arraigned today after being charged with second degree murder for alleged connection to the death of a co-worker, police said.

The charges stem from a verbal and physical altercation reported on Monday night, Nov. 12, 2012 on Napilihau Street near the rear parking lot of the Napili Plaza, according to police.

Lahaina Patrol Officers responded to a report at around 7 p.m. of two male co-workers of a maintenance firm who were reportedly involved in a verbal altercation.

Upon arrival, police say officers learned that the altercation had turned physical, and that a suspect had allegedly fled the scene in a white company-owned pickup truck.

Police say the victim, Danny Jose, 58, of Lahaina, was left unresponsive on the ground. Jose was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition and placed in ICU, but police say he succumbed to his injuries at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012.

Police say a preliminary investigation at the scene identified the suspect as William Ranep, 37, of Napili. According to police reports, Ranep was located at around 8:17 p.m. on Monday within a parked pickup truck fronting a home on Hanawai Street in Napili.

Ranep was subsequently placed under arrest. Police say he was charged with second degree murder at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, and bail was set at $100,000.