Murder defendant wants release conditions eased

Twenty-three-year-old murder defendant John Mike Muliaga wants his release conditions eased.

Muliaga, who remains on house arrest, stands accused in last October’s killing of Marine Corps veteran Jaron Weilbacher following a fight outside of a Tamuning restaurant.

He also is under electronic monitoring and being watched by two third-party custodians.

During a hearing this week, Muliaga’s attorney told Superior Court Magistrate Judge Jonathan Quan the custodians can no longer watch him around the clock.

The victim’s family and prosecutors oppose the request.

The defense also argued his co-actor and cousin, army soldier Fiataugaluia Ahkee, is also on house arrest and does not have custodians. Ahkee is charged with manslaughter in the case.

Muliaga is back in court tomorrow to find out if the judge will have him remain free without the third-party custodians.