Newswatch


By Star-Bulletin Staff

Wednesday, February 26, 1997

Sergeant faces Army fact panel

Army Sgt. Walter Wynn faces a closed military fact-finding board today that will determine if he should be court-martialed for allegedly sexually abusing an 18-year-old female private last month.

Wynn, 21, a supply sergeant with headquarters company of the 45th Combat Support Group's 29th Engineer Battalion, has been charged with sodomy, violations of barracks policies and providing alcohol to a minor.

The closed investigatory hearing is similar to a civilian court's preliminary hearing and will determine whether there is enough evidence for a court-martial. A decision is expected to be made public next month.

Wynn was one of five male soldiers who were investigated in the sexual abuse of the female soldier in a Fort Shafter barracks on Jan. 20. The female soldier, who had been in the Army less than six months, was discharged at her request.

Three of the four soldiers - whom the Army declined to identify - were reduced in rank, were restricted to their quarters for 45 days, lost a half-month's pay for two months and were given additional duties.

The fourth soldier received similar punishment. However, the forfeiture of pay and reduction in rank were suspended until the end of May and will not be imposed unless the soldier gets into trouble again.

The four were charged with violations of barracks policies and procedures and sexual misconduct.

Kapalama will have
drivers license service

The new main drivers licensing office at City Square in Kapalama will be open for business Monday.

The office is at the former site of the Kapalama Gem store on Dillingham Boulevard and Kohou Street. Driver road test appointments can be scheduled by calling 842-4117. Commercial drivers licensing services will be handled at 99-501 Salt Lake Blvd. Call 487-5534 for further information.

Tatibouet won't seek
the GOP chair again

Republican Party Chairwoman Jane Tatibouet, who was first elected as head of the local GOP three years ago, said she will not seek re-election when her term expires in May.

Tatibouet, senior vice president of Aston Hotels & Resorts, served in the state House in 1990-92.

She said she wants to spend more time with her family, business and community organizations.

HSTA ratification vote
put off until March 7

The Hawaii State Teachers Association has moved back the ratification vote on its tentative contract with the state from Feb. 28 to March 7.

Union President June Motokawa said the vote was delayed so teachers would have time to review the contract.



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Police/Fire


By Star-Bulletin staff


One killed in crash
at Wahiawa church

One man is dead and another in critical condition after the car they were in crashed into a building at the Trinity Lutheran Church in upper Wahiawa early today.

The two were headed downhill toward Wahiawa town on California Avenue when the car veered into the shoulder and struck a chain-link fence and went through anteroom attached to the church before crashing into a concrete building, police said.

Classes at the church school were canceled today.

The passenger, 52, of Wahiawa, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the 1:37 a.m. crash. The driver, 42, of Waialua, was rushed to Queen's Hospital after being extricated from the car by Wahiawa firefighters.

Police said speed may have been a factor in the crash. The driver was wearing a seat belt, but his passenger wasn't, police said.

The death was the 13th traffic fatality of the year on Oahu and the seventh this month.

Eight people were killed on Oahu roads at this time last year.

Fugitive from Oregon
arrested here

A 36-year-old man wanted in Oregon for attempted murder was arrested at a Wilder Avenue apartment yesterday on a $100,000 warrant.

The man is expected to be flown back to Oregon to face the charges, including attempted rape and felony assault, police said.

Police interrogated a suspect arrested on Feb. 10 for fraudulent use of a credit card.

Information from the interrogation led to the identification and whereabouts of the 36-year-old fugitive.



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