HONOLULU, Hawaii – The trial of accused racketeering boss Michael Miske Jr. is set to begin on Monday with the selection of a jury. Miske, a longtime business owner in Honolulu, was arrested more than three years ago in a federal criminal conspiracy case. The trial is expected to involve over 900 witnesses and several former co-defendants who have reached plea deals.
Empaneling an impartial jury will be the initial challenge in this high-profile case, which includes allegations of obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Potential jurors have already expressed concerns about their safety and the safety of their families.
Miske, along with his half-brother John Stancil and Delia Fabro-Miske, his late son’s widow, face multiple charges related to their alleged involvement in a racketeering conspiracy led by Miske. Miske and Stancil have been in custody since their arrest in July 2020, while Fabro-Miske was charged in July 2021.
The most serious charges against Miske include conspiracy to kidnap and murder Johnathan Fraser, whom he falsely accused of causing a car crash that killed Miske’s son Caleb. Fraser, who went missing in 2016, has never been found. Miske is also charged with assault, drug distribution, robbery, and bank fraud.
Stancil faces charges related to drug offenses and violent crimes, while Fabro-Miske is charged with bank fraud and racketeering conspiracy. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The trial has faced numerous delays due to defense motions and the extensive amount of evidence involved, including over 2 million pages of documents and digital data. The jury selection process will be conducted individually to ensure potential jurors can answer questions honestly without any peer pressure.
Once a jury is selected, there will be a two-day evidentiary hearing followed by opening statements. Prosecutors have listed 947 potential witnesses, while the defense has listed 323 witnesses.
This trial is significant and comparable to the high-profile case of former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, who was convicted in 2019 in one of the state’s biggest corruption scandals.
The trial of Michael Miske will be closely watched, and its outcome could have a significant impact on the community.