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A Colorado Springs man responsible for shooting a young Palauan son has been sentenced to serve eight years in prison.
On June 23, discount 2014, Mathew DeJong was sentenced by a Colorado Springs court to serve a maximum penalty of eight years in prison for the murder of Olajuwon “Olai” Kumangai, a young Palauan U.S. Army serviceman who was on vacation at the time.
DeJong was originally charged with murder in the first degree, but entered a plea bargain to negligent manslaughter, which carries a maximum jail sentence of eight years.
19-year Kumangai had just completed basic training for the U.S. Army in Georgia when he decided to visit relatives in Colorado for Christmas and New Year.
While ringing in the New Year at a Colorado Springs club with family members, Kumangai met a local woman identified as Donetta Loggins. Loggins later went with Kumangai and his family members to their apartment when they passed a turn to her house.
While at the apartment, Loggins called defendant DeJong for a ride. When DeJong pulled up he reportedly argued with Loggins inside of the vehicle before approaching the apartment with a gun and started arguing. He later fired shots at Kumangai who was standing at the parking lot. Kumangai did survive his injuries. A public funeral was held for him in March this year.
