$200K bail set for Garapan murder suspect; preliminary hearing May 14

Suspect BinWei Zhang Secharmidal, also known as “Joe Secharmidal,” appeared in Superior Court last May 5 afternoon, May 5, where bail was maintained at $200,000 in connection with the murder of Sheldon Kaianoa.

During the hearing, Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo appointed Chief Public Defender Douglas W. Hartig to represent Secharmidal after confirming he could not afford private counsel.

Hartig asked the court to allow a 10% bond on the bail amount, but Govendo denied the request.

“Bail is currently set at $200,000,” the court said. When asked if the defense wished to keep it the same, the response was, “Yes, sir,” before the judge rejected the motion to reduce it to bond.

The court imposed several conditions should bail be posted, including surrender of any passport, prohibition from applying for a new passport, restriction from leaving the CNMI, full compliance with all laws, no contact with any parties involved in the case, and an order to return to court as required.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 14 at 9am before Govendo, while arraignment is set for June 10 at 10am before Superior Court Presiding Judge Joseph N. Camacho.

Secharmidal, 33, of Garapan, is accused in the death of Kaianoa, 45, also of Garapan, following what police described as an altercation after a night of drinking last May 2.

According to the Department of Public Safety, officers responded to a 911 call at about 11:23pm reporting a disturbance along Asusena Avenue. Responding officers found Kaianoa unresponsive on the roadway with multiple injuries.

Emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures, including CPR, before transporting him to the Commonwealth Health Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators said both men had been drinking together at a local establishment prior to the incident and were seen leaving on foot. An argument reportedly broke out along the roadway, escalating into a physical confrontation.

Police said Secharmidal was later located in Susupe and taken into custody. He has since been formally charged with murder.

The case remains under active investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact the DPS Criminal Investigation Bureau at (670) 664-9000.