A judge said the Aug. 8 acid attack in Chinatown appears to have been premeditated, revealing new details during the arraignment today of the man accused of carrying it out.

Circuit Court Judge Ronald Johnson said Marquis A. Johnson, 34, “selected the individual” in the attack, indicating it was not random.

The individual, 30-year-old cook Lathson Robert, was working late at Livestock Tavern when he was approached by Marquis Johnson and allegedly doused with acid.

Police have said Robert told investigators that he did not know his assailant.

Johnson appeared by video today from the Oahu Community Correctional Center as his attorney, Rick Sing, entered a not guilty plea to first-degree assault.

The judge kept Johnson’s bail at $500,000.

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