Newswatch


By Star-Bulletin Staff

Wednesday, April 9, 1997

Judge decides not
to free Parker

George Parker III seated between his attorney and wife, rocked back and forth, but rarely looked straight ahead at the judge.

Dressed neatly in a gray suit, Parker appeared calm, nothing like the desperate man who held police at bay for nearly eight hours Jan. 29 before being subdued by a wooden bullet.

Parker was in federal court yesterday seeking to be released from custody while awaiting sentencing.

William Harrison, Parker's attorney, said his client's life fell apart when a jury convicted him of money laundering and conspiracy to obstruct justice, and that "his whole purpose was to take his life and not be a burden on his family any longer.

"But he no longer suffers from that condition," Harrison said.

Parker completed a court-ordered 30-day mental evaluation at the U.S. Medical Center for Prisoners in Springfield, Mo., on March 6 and is no longer considered to be a danger to himself, Harrison said.

Attorney Doraine Meyer Parker said her husband returned to Hawaii about three weeks ago.

U.S. District Judge David Ezra denied the request for release and ordered Parker held without bond until sentencing June 30.

'Ice' maker sentenced
to six years in prison

The first man sentenced for his role in manufacturing "ice" in an illegal Waimalu drug lab will go to federal prison for almost six years, several months longer than what prosecutors recommended.

U.S. District Judge David Ezra yesterday agreed that Leslie Hayashida, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to manufacture and distribute crystal methamphetamine, should get a break for cooperating with the government.

But Ezra also said the government's proposed range of 51 to 63 months wasn't enough to reflect the seriousness of the offense, which exposed the public to the potential of fires and explosions from the lab.

"Anything less would send the wrong message to the defendant and the community," he said as he imposed a 70-month term.

Ezra also approved a "safety-valve" provision, enabling Hayashida as a first-time offender to avoid a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years.

Hayashida, 45, apologized for his actions, adding, "You won't see me in here again."

17 Tripler Reservists
return from Bosnia duty

Seventeen Pacific Army Reservists returned to the islands yesterday afternoon after spending a year in Germany providing medical support for the Bosnia peacekeeping effort.

All are members of the Tripler U.S. Army Reserve Hospital (Augmentation). Eight have been in Germany since August; the other nine went to Germany in December. They were assigned to facilities in Wurzburg, Heidelberg and Landsthul.

Ten Army Reservists still remain in Germany on active duty.

See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Info] section for subscription information.




Police/Fire


By Star-Bulletin staff

Isle traffic accidents
hospitalize two people

One man is in critical condition and another is guarded after both were injured in separate single-car crashes early today and last night.

An unidentified male was taken in critical condition to Queen's Hospital after his car struck a utility pole on Haiku Road near Heeia Elementary School around 4:30 a.m. today.

Also at Queen's, a 25-year-old man critically injured in a single-car crash last night in Waianae is now listed in guarded condition.

He was the right front passenger in a car with three other males - all of Waianae - that struck a utility pole near 85-656 Waianae Valley Rd. at 11:42 last night.

The driver, 20, was treated and released. Two other passengers, 18 and 20, are in fair condition.

Speed may have been a factor in the crash, investigators said.

Nuuanu foodmart
robbed early today

An unidentified man robbed a clerk at the Nuuanu Texaco Foodmart early today.

The suspect entered the store at 1:15 a.m. and handed the cashier a note indicating he had a gun, police said. He held his hand under his shirt, but no weapon was seen.

He fled with an undetermined amount of cash. The cashier was not injured.

The man was described as fair, in his 20s, about 5-foot-6, 135 pounds and slim built.

He wore a white T-shirt, shorts and black slippers.

Man accused of holding
girlfriend against will

Charges are being sought against a 19-year-old Kinalau Place man accused of holding his former girlfriend against her will at a bus stop fronting the Honolulu Police Department Monday night.

The girl, 16, escaped with scratches and a broken watch.

He allegedly took her wallet and its contents of $85. He was later arrested.

Other Police/Fire headlines
in today’s Star-Bulletin:

  • Man accused of grabbing woman
  • Man drowns after wave sweeps him into sea
  • Authorities hunt escapee

See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Info] section for subscription information.





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