Newswatch
U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor chastised 49-year-old James L. Hyde during sentencing yesterday for "violating the trust" of his position.
Hyde funneled the money into his personal account over a five-year period that ended in September 1995. Under the witness protection pro
gram, he received federal money to support the daily living expenses of protected witnesses in Hawaii. His responsibilities included paying witnesses' bills for their health, safety and welfare.
Hyde reportedly used the money to finance his gambling habit.
"I think I'd rather be dead," said Babineau. "Send the meat wagon for me, rather than the ambulance if it's going to cost $375."
The new rates, which took effect July 1, increased from $138 to $375-$450 a ride so the state can recover up to 50 percent of the cost of operating ambulance services islandwide, said Health Department spokeswoman Ellen Blomquist. The previous rate covered only 20 percent of the cost.
The state hopes to retrieve $13 million of the $29 million it cost the state last year to transport about 50,000 people. The state contracts with city and county governments on Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island to provide emergency ambulance services.
For most people, the cost of a state-subsidized ambulance ride is billed to health insurance plans. But Hawaii Medical Service Association, Kaiser Permanente and Straub said they may eventually have to pass the higher cost on to consumers.
The evidence came from victim Mark McGrath's friends, who described his mood swings and angry faces.
Circuit Judge Richard Perkins allowed the testimony to be reopened yesterday after the friends came forward. McGrath died of massive brain hemorrhage last August, the day after being hit with a flashlight by Stadtman at D Coy's Sports Bar & Grill.
The bartender testified McGrath had shoved another customer off a stool.
She was booked for investigation of criminal property damage and burglary.
Another resident of the 58-252 Kamehameha Highway boardinghouse allegedly approached the suspect yesterday, accusing her of taking clothing and other items. Most of the items were returned.
At 1:15 a.m., while residents slept, a fire alarm went off and residents found the accuser's room ablaze with the 21-year-old woman standing outside. She apparently was intoxicated, police said.
Residents put out the fire before firefighters arrived.
The man, described as in his late 20s, claimed he had a weapon and demanded money from a teller, said FBI spokesman John Pikus. He fled Ewa-bound on Ala Moana with an undisclosed amount of cash at 1:40 p.m.
Witnesses said the man was about 5 feet 8 inches tall, 160 pounds and wore a beret-style cap, sunglasses, a pin-striped long-sleeve shirt and jeans. Pikus said the suspect has been seen in the area and may live nearby.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or the FBI at 521-1411.
Windward crime reduction unit officers arrested a 14-year-old Kaneohe boy Saturday for second-degree assault.
With help from area residents, police identified at least six youths who may have been responsible for the March 18 and 19 shootings, said Detective James Goeas.
On March 19, a 73-year-old resident heard a noise and looked outside her Uluniu Street apartment to see an elderly man who lived nearby staggering across the road. She went to his aid and waited until police and an ambulance arrived.
Nelson Pereza, 70, was bleeding. Doctors found a pellet embedded behind his right jaw but decided to leave it in because it was too close to a major artery. He was treated and released from Castle Hospital.
The day before, the female resident apparently heard the same noise before she was grazed in the cheek, also by a pellet. She refused treatment.
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