Illinois man pleads no contest to stabbing death in Hilo

HILO, Hawaii (AP) - A 37-year-old Illinois man has pleaded no contest to allegations that he stabbed a 49-year-old woman to death two years ago in Hilo.

Curtis Q. Hodges is expected to be sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported . His plea deal calls for the state to recommend a 20-year minimum sentence. He appeared in court on Wednesday and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 14.

Hodges is accused of killing Danielle Caron in August 2015.

Deputy Prosecutor Shannon Kagawa told the judge if the case had gone to trial, the prosecution would have proven Hodges stabbed Caron "multiple times, resulting in her death."

"There is video of the downtown area showing Mr. Hodges going into the area where Ms. Caron was observed going into. And he was the only one leaving the area until the body is found," Kagawa said. "There is also evidence - DNA that was found on Mr. Hodges' clothing that belonged to Ms. Caron."

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Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/