Bernard Brown is consoled by attorney Randall Hironaka after his request for a new trial was denied and he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole Thursday afternoon in Wailuku. Brown was convicted by a jury of murdering his ex-girlfriend Moreira “Mo” Monsalve, who has been missing since January 2014. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos
WAILUKU — Alexis Felicilda periodically glanced at her mother’s convicted killer, Bernard Brown, as she spoke during his sentencing Thursday about how “bittersweet” the day is to her.
“All the blood, sweat, tears, bring a bittersweet moment of being here, sitting here and being able to tell you that although you may have taken her away from us physically she lives through us, her children, every single day,” Felicilda said. “She has her in all of us. She lives on through us and everyone that loved her and the people she made an impact on.”
Brown, who was convicted by a 2nd Circuit Court jury in August of second-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend Moreira “Mo” Monsalve, declined to speak Thursday before Judge Peter Cahill handed down a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole. The sentence was mandated under Hawaii law.
Prior to sentencing, Cahill denied motions by Brown’s attorney Randall Hironaka for judgement of acquittal, or a new trial.
Monsalve’s body has not been found. The 46-year-old mother of three was last seen at Brown’s apartment at Iao Parkside in Wailuku the night of Jan. 12, 2014. She was reported missing Jan. 14, 2014, after family members and co-workers grew worried.
Leslie Monsalve Jones, sister of Moreira “Mo” Monsalve, describes the devastating impact her sister’s disappearance had on the family while addressing the man convicted of her murder, Bernard Brown (left), in 2nd Circuit Court Thursday.
“You could make your life a little easier by telling us where she is, so we can put her to rest like she deserves … And you know she deserves it,” said Felicilda, who lead countless searches for her mom and ensured the public did not forget about her mother’s disappearance. “Maybe by giving us that closure it will help ease the guilt and anger you feel being here and knowing there is no other options.”
Cahill told the half dozen family and friends in the courtroom that if he had the power to, he would help them find out what happened to Monsalve.
During sentencing, Deputy Prosecutor J.W. Hupp said Monsalve got to see daughter Alexis and son Tyson “for the last time” on Jan. 12, 2014. Monsalve also has another son, Lono.
“And then she made the fateful decision to go back to the defendant’s residence and was never seen again,” Hupp said.
Hupp said there was a “flurry of electronic activity” in various forms on the evening of Jan. 12, 2014 and then in the early morning hours of Jan. 13, 2014.
Alexis Felicilda, daughter of Moreira “Mo” Monsalve, looks toward Bernard Brown as she addresses him at his sentencing hearing Thursday.
“The trail of evidence always leads back to him,” Hupp said of Brown.
Hupp also spoke about how much Monsalve was loved, as no one had anything negative to say about her.
He said that friends, family, witnesses and potential witnesses expressed how much they wanted to help. Hupp said that usually in big criminal cases, people shy away when contacted by the prosecutor’s office.
Hupp said the sentiment was: “Whatever you need, whatever you want, I will be there.”
After Monsalve’s disappearance, hundreds turned out to search for her in multiple areas around Maui. Police also searched various areas, including the Central Maui Landfill where garbage collected the week of Monsalve’s disappearance had been dumped.
Second Circuit Court Judge Peter Cahill denies a request for a new trial Thursday.
Shortly after her disappearance, on Jan. 16, 2014, Monsalve’s pink Coach purse was found in a dumpster at Papohaku Park in Wailuku, near Brown’s apartment complex, Iao Parkside.
Her cellphone was found in pieces in the dumpster, police said during trial.
In a recording of Brown talking to police that was played at the August trial, Brown told police Monsalve was “just fine” when she left his Wailuku apartment the night when she was last seen.
Some of Monsalve’s family came from the Mainland to attend the sentencing on Thursday.
Leslie Monsalve Jones, Monsalve’s sister, said she can still remember her mother crying after Monsalve went missing.
Jones said her mother told her to get Moreira “off that island” and “bring her home.”
“I hope today we get the justice that my mom, and my dad had waited for nine years and my family here on Maui. We just want justice,” Jones told the court. “He can talk to people. I can never talk to Moreira again. … I could never say ‘Happy Birthday’ or have Christmas with her.”
Outside of court, Hupp said he’s “so glad the family got some closure. This chapter is done.”
He added that they will see if Brown has a “change of heart in prison” about telling more of what happened.
Felicilda said outside of court that it has been a long process and that she had thought a lot about what she wanted to say.
She emphasized what she said during sentencing, that Brown “did all of this” for nothing.
She is also continuously reminded of her mom as past posts pop up on Facebook, which makes her cry. Felicilda also fondly remembers her mom wanting a “viking funeral.”
Overall, she said: “It’s bittersweet, of course we want him to stay there. But I’d rather have her back.”
“I’d rather be able to put her to rest.”
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
Alexis Felicilda, daughter of Moreira “Mo” Monsalve, looks toward Bernard Brown as she addresses him at his sentencing hearing Thursday. 
Bernard Brown is consoled by attorney Randall Hironaka after his request for a new trial was denied and he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole Thursday afternoon in Wailuku. Brown was convicted by a jury of murdering his ex-girlfriend Moreira “Mo” Monsalve, who has been missing since January 2014. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos 
Second Circuit Court Judge Peter Cahill denies a request for a new trial Thursday.
Leslie Monsalve Jones, sister of Moreira “Mo” Monsalve, describes the devastating impact her sister’s disappearance had on the family while addressing the man convicted of her murder, Bernard Brown (left), in 2nd Circuit Court Thursday.Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
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