Tourist shooting trial set

The trial for Stefan Camacho, accused in the 2024 shooting death of Korean tourist Hea Jun Hwang, is now set to begin no later than March 18 in the Superior Court of Guam. 

Judge John Terlaje reset the trial date during a pretrial conference Thursday after prosecutors requested a continuance due to medical issues involving the assigned prosecutor, who was recently released from the hospital.

Camacho is alleged to have been the getaway driver in a January 4, 2024 plan to commit an armed robbery with co-defendant Keoki Santos. The robbery attempt allegedly escalated into an altercation that led to the fatal shooting of Hwang, who was visiting Guam with his wife from Korea.

Defense attorney Ramiro Orozco opposed a lengthy delay, arguing the prosecution acted in bad faith during plea negotiations. Judge Terlaje ultimately found good cause to move the trial but emphasized the case remains a priority, stating the court does not intend to push the trial beyond March 18.