Parole board considers minimum sentence for Honolulu man convicted in toddler’s freeway death

HI board mulls sentence in toddler’s freeway death

HONOLULU — A Honolulu man convicted of second-degree murder in the death of a toddler thrown from a freeway overpass has appeared before the parole board for a hearing that will determine his minimum sentence.

Matthew Higa said he didn’t want to speak at Monday’s hearing. But when parole board members questioned him, he said he was high on crystal meth when the crime occurred nearly 2½ years ago.

Higa says he was only semi-aware of what was going on. But he denied throwing 23-month-old Cyrus Belt off the overpass.

Prosecutor Peter Carlisle asked the Hawaii Paroling Authority to set a 200-year minimum sentence before Higa is eligible for parole.

The board is due to publish its ruling in two weeks.