VIDEO: Not Guilty Plea Entered in Murder of “Charli” Scott

Steven Capobianco. July 15, 2014. Photo by Wendy Osher.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vt0kAqyYqI /] By Wendy Osher

***A full photo album from today’s arraignment and plea is posted on our Facebook page.

The ex-boyfriend of a missing Maui woman entered a not guilty plea in court today after being indicted for the murder of Carly “Charli” Scott.

Steven Capobianco was indicted on second-degree murder and third-degree arson in the homicide death of Scott, who was five months pregnant when she went missing in February.

His attorney requested a pre-trial conference on Sept. 3, and a trial by jury scheduled to begin on Oct. 6, 2014.

Maui Chief Judge Joseph Cardoza confirmed bail as set at $2 million; however, attorneys for the state say they intend to file a motion for no bail within the next week.

Family and friends of Carly “Charli” Scott console each other outside of the courtroom following an arraignment and plea hearing in which Steven Capobianco entered a not guilty plea to murder and arson. Photo by Wendy Osher.

As a condition of bail, Judge Cardoza said Capobianco cannot be in possession of a firearm, and must turn in any items that would be in violation.

The state also requested that as a condition of the current bail, that there be no direct or indirect contact with Scott’s immediate family.

Judge Cardoza said this includes staying away from their residence, business, or educational establishment, and refraining from contact through social media or through any other individual.

Among those in attendance at today’s plea and arraignment hearing were members of Charli’s family including her mother Kimberlyn, sister Fiona Wais, close friends, and individuals who participated in search efforts.

The group gathered briefly outside of the courtroom, where some shed tears and hugged each other before heading to a private meeting room with prosecutors.

Upon entering the courtroom, Capobianco was dressed in an orange uniform issued by the Maui Community Correctional Center, and was wearing handcuffs and a neck brace. July 15, 2014. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Members of Scott’s family declined public comment following today’s proceedings.

Upon entering the courtroom, Capobianco was dressed in an orange uniform issued by the Maui Community Correctional Center, and was wearing handcuffs and a neck brace.

Officials with the Department of Public Safety say Capobianco’s neck was injured in an “unprovoked inmate-on-inmate assault,” that occurred on Saturday, July 12, 2014.

The assault is being investigated by the Maui Police Department.

On the strength of a grand jury indictment, Capobianco was arrested on Monday afternoon at the Maui Community Correctional Center where he was being held on unrelated charges.

According to the indictment, the state alleges that Capobianco “intentionally or knowingly” caused the death of Scott “in an especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel manner.”

The indictment further details a count of arson, alleging that Capobianco “intentionally or knowingly” set fire to or caused damage to Scott’s property without consent.

Steven Capobianco arraignment and plea. July 15, 2014. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Background Information:

Carly “Charli” Joann Scott, 27, was last known to have left the Haʻikū area on Sunday night, Feb. 9, 2014, to assist her ex-boyfriend, who family members say asked for help because of car trouble he had near mile marker 20 of the Hāna Highway.

Capobianco told Hawaii News Now in earlier reports that he and Charli went to retrieve his vehicle that night, but that he lost sight of her as she followed him in her own vehicle on their way back to their respective homes.

Scott was five months pregnant when she went missing, and family members say that Capobianco was the father of the unborn child.

Judge Joseph Cardoza, July 15, 2014. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The woman’s dog, who was with her when she went missing, was found near the Nāhiku Market Place on Monday, Feb. 10.

Her vehicle was found torched two days later on Wednesday night, Feb. 12, in Peʻahi, mauka of the surf spot known as “Jaws”; an her clothing and blanket were found on Thursday, Feb. 13, at Nuaʻailua Bay just East of Honomanū.

The items were located over a span of 25 to 30 miles apart.

Since the alleged murder, Capobianco has been arrested for numerous offenses, including felony theft, burglary, first-degree terroristic threatening, and possessing a deadly weapon. He was also charged with violating terms of his release on bail.

Family and friends of Carly “Charli” Scott gathered briefly outside of the courtroom, where some shed tears and hugged each other before heading to a private meeting room with prosecutors. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Family and friends of Carly “Charli” Scott console each other outside of the courtroom following an arraignment and plea hearing in which Steven Capobianco entered a not guilty plea to murder and arson. Photo by Wendy Osher.