Kishkumen and his band had already decided to take decisive action against the seating of a new chief judge supporting the Nephite ideals when they murdered Pahoran II. Their political aims were not fulfilled then, and they undoubtedly hoped that the death of Pacumeni would allow their faction to rise in power. That hope was dashed with the seating of Helaman II. The force of their intent remained the same, and so they turned to a similar strategy to deal with Helaman II.