Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Wednesday, May 14, 1997

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Ronald A. Betts, 24, is on trial for attempted
murder for allegedly forceably immersing
his son Travelle, 3, in scalding water
at their Mililani apartment.

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Boy's burns appear
intentional, court told

A father accused of intentionally scalding his 3-year-old son in water covered his eyes as a doctor reviewed graphic photos of the boy's blistered body with skin sloughing off.

"These photos are consistent with forced immersion in a hot liquid," Tripler Hospital Dr. Ladd Tremaine said yesterday in the attempted-murder trial of Schofield Barracks soldier Ronald A. Betts.

The case is being heard before Circuit Judge Herbert Shimabukuro.

The state has accused Betts, 24, of trying to kill his son, Travelle, on Sept. 22 in his Mililani apartment after his son had a "potty" accident. Attempted murder carries a mandatory sentence of life with parole.

Deputy Public Defender Susan Arnett said Travelle's burns were tragic, but accidental. She said Betts had started a bath for his son and immediately called 911 when he saw his son's injuries.

Hawaii man receives
Purple Heart after 47 years

Forty-seven years ago, Pfc. Daniel A. Santiago was wounded on the battlefield during the Korean War.

But it took a son's desire to leave a legacy for his father's grandchildren that resulted in a medal for Santiago, who after the war became a well-known professional lightweight boxer.

Yesterday, Santiago, now 67, was finally recognized and awarded the Purple Heart for his combat wounds by Maj. Gen. John Maher, commander of the 25th Infantry Division, in a special Schofield Barracks ceremony.

Nelson Santiago said after his grandmother died two years ago, he was rummaging through her old photographs and mementos and came across a tattered Honolulu Star-Bulletin clipping.

"It had been torn and pasted on cardboard," Santiago said, "and noted that my father had been wounded in action.

"And I got to wondering ... here I have a 19-year-old daughter and my father was the same age when he left Farrington (High School) to enlist. He already had two brothers - Edward and Albert - who were in the Army and in combat and another brother - John - who was in the Navy.

"He was so young when this happened, like my daughter, and I kept wondering how he must have felt lying there wounded waiting for the medics and wondering if anyone was going to get him."

Rodrigues, Matsuo both
on Judicial Commission

Two men who were named to the same seat on the Judicial Selection Commission last year now have positions on the board that screens candidates for judgeships.

State Senate President Norman Mizuguchi appointed Gary Rodrigues, state director of the United Public Workers union, to a six-year term.

Gov. Ben Cayetano named Wayne Matsuo, a University of Hawaii sociology lecturer who formerly headed the state Office of Youth Services.

Both men were appointed a year ago to fill the same vacancy, but neither actually served on the commission, they said yesterday.

Cayetano set to cope
with shortfall in taxes

Gov. Ben Cayetano says he has a plan to cope with the possibility that the fiscal year could end with tax revenue collections falling short of the 1.2 percent growth projected for the state.

Yesterday, state Tax Director Ray Kamikawa announced that for the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, tax revenues fell $21.6 million, a 0.9 percent drop, when compared to the same period in the previous year.

"I am concerned about it," Cayetano said.

Other than saying he would not fill positions in state government when they became vacant and that he would delay equipment purchases, Cayetano provided no specifics.

Cayetano said he remains hopeful that the isles' lagging economy will turn around.

An increase in Japanese visitors, a surge in the real estate market and the borrowing of $1 billion to accelerate state construction projects will be instrumental in improving the economy, he said.

For April, state tax collections totaled $213.9 million, a drop of 11 percent, or $26.4 million, when compared to April 1996.

The major reason for last month's revenue decline was a $21.1 million, or 26.2 percent, drop from the individual income tax.

This was largely due to $14.5 million more being paid in individual income tax refunds and an $11.1 million decrease in withholding taxes on wages, Kamikawa said.

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

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Police/Fire


By Star-Bulletin staff

Police investigate
stabbing in Waianae

Police are investigating an attempted murder in Waianae last night.

Police said a 29-year-old man was stabbed at 86-524 Halona Road about 11:30 p.m.

He was taken to Queen's Hospital in critical condition. Police have made no arrests at this time.

Thief robs Salt Lake
Safeway at gunpoint

Police are looking for a man who robbed the Salt Lake Safeway store early today at gunpoint.

Police said a man entered the store about 3:15 a.m. and pointed a handgun at a cashier, demanding money.

He left with an undisclosed amount of money in a Safeway bag.

The suspect is identified as 5 feet 6 inches tall, wearing a red jacket and driving a white Honda Accord.

Woman dragged
by hair on street

Police are looking for the male driver of a pickup truck who dragged a woman by the hair alongside his truck on King Street near Pua Lane in Palama.

Police said the victim, an unidentified woman in her late 30s, was standing outside the man's truck, a red Mazda pickup with a white camper shell, about 6:40 p.m. yesterday arguing with him. Witnesses said they saw the woman punching the man through the truck's open window.

The man drove off, dragging the woman by her shoulder-length hair along King Street.

Police said he let go of her when he turned onto Pua Lane.

The woman was taken to Queen's Hospital in critical condition with head injuries and scrapes.

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

• Man charged for alleged kidnapping
  
• Missing Hilo man not missing anymore
  
• Robber fired shots at couple in pursuit
  
• Armed robber hits Puhi Bay Beach Store

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