HONOLULU — An alleged acid attack in Chinatown has been deemed premeditated, according to a judge during a court arraignment on Monday. Marquis A. Johnson, 34, faces first-degree assault charges, a Class B felony, following the incident that occurred on August 8.
Oahu Circuit Court Judge Ronald Johnson stated that the defendant specifically targeted the victim, Lathson Robert, 30. The judge confirmed Johnson’s bail amount at $500,000 based on a sealed pretrial bail report. Johnson, who appeared via videoconference from the Oahu Community Correctional Center, pleaded not guilty through attorney Rick Sing, who represented Johnson’s primary attorney, Titiimaea Ta‘ase.
Deputy Prosecutor Hongkyoon So requested a no-contact order for the victim, which the judge subsequently mandated. In a notable decision, the judge denied the state’s request for a geographical restriction around the Chinatown Weed & Seed area. Johnson’s trial is slated for October 27 before Judge Paul Wong.
Community members expressed relief that the attack was not random, emphasizing the quick response of local law enforcement. Gabe Lee, president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, noted that the community feels supported by police efforts during the ongoing investigation.
The aftermath of the attack has been devastating for Robert, who, according to his sister Tancher Robert, has suffered severe injuries, including burns and significant vision loss in one eye. He is expected to undergo surgery involving skin grafts to treat the extensive damage.
A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated by Robert’s friends and colleagues to aid with his medical expenses. They described him as an integral part of their restaurant team, highlighting his hard work and positive demeanor.
Five days after the attack, Police Lt. Deena Thoemmes stated that the assailant had engaged in conversation with Robert before the incident. Although initially in critical condition, Robert was able to communicate with authorities, asserting he did not know his attacker. However, there remains a lack of clarity surrounding the exchange and the motivation behind the assault.
The formal charges against Johnson were filed via a brief court document rather than through indictment, providing limited details regarding the case’s motive. The state has sought to unseal certain documents related to the felony information for discovery purposes, while maintaining the majority of the records sealed.
In a separate context, Johnson has a history of being involved in a racially motivated attack in February 2022, where he sustained serious injuries from a group assault. He also reached a $290,000 settlement with the city in a previous case concerning wrongful detention by police.
This ongoing situation continues to evoke strong reactions from the community, underscoring the impact of violent incidents on public sentiment and safety.
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