Hawaii Woman Accused of Killing Her Twin Released by Judge
— -- A Hawaii judge today ordered the release of a woman accused of killing her twin by driving their car off an ocean-side cliff, ABC News has confirmed.
Maui judge Blaine Kobayashi ordered the release of Alexandria Duval, 37, in the death of her twin sister -- Anastasia Duval, whose previous name was Ana Dadow -- after finding there was no probable cause for a murder charge.
The release was ordered during her preliminary hearing.
Defense attorney Todd Eddins said Alexandria was “elated” over the ruling and she should be released soon.
“This was a tragic accident,” Eddins told ABC News. “It was not a homicide, it was not a crime. This judge understood the evidence and we’re just grateful that he got it.”
As ABC News previously reported, Alexandria had planned to plead not guilty.
Prosecutors had said Alexandria, who changed her name from Alison Dadow, intentionally caused the death of her sister when she allegedly drove them off a cliff last week.
Anastasia was pronounced dead at the scene. Her sister survived with critical injuries.
Alexandria was driving a 2016 Ford Explorer May 29 when it went off the Hana Highway in Maui, plunging 200 feet to rocks below, ABC Honolulu affiliate KITV reported.
Authorities said Alexandria declined to give officers any information after she was extricated from the SUV and identified herself only as Alex, The Associated Press reported.
Witnesses said they saw the twins arguing in the SUV before the driver seemed to suddenly accelerate and make a sharp left turn, according to KITV. The car then slammed into a rock wall and plunged to the rocks below.
Police said the SUV's airbag control module indicated that the driver did not step on the brakes before hitting the wall, KITV reported, appearing to support witness statements.
