Bernard Brown Murder Trial to Start on Thursday

Bernard Brown makes initial appearance in Maui Court where he faces second degree murder charges. PC: Wendy Osher 10.3.19

The trial for murder defendant Bernard Brown, the man accused of killing Moreira “Mo” Monsalve, is scheduled to start on Thursday.  Monsalve went missing nearly six years ago on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014.

Monsalve, 46, was last seen at Brown’s residence in Wailuku.  Brown was her ex-boyfriend at the time.  He was extradited to Maui from Sacramento where he was arrested following a Maui Grand Jury indictment on Sept. 20, 2019.

In October, Brown pleaded not guilty to second degree murder.

Police had said the advancement of technology and the diligent work of detectives, prosecutors and the FBI were key, and that cell phone evidence played a huge part in this case, especially since Monsalve’s body was never found.

Brown’s new counsel, Keith Shigetomi of Honolulu will represent Brown after the public defender’s office withdrew from the case.