Man claims stabbing was in defense of brother
The knife that killed Brynner "Bryan" Auelua on Sept. 12 at a Waipahu apartment complex sank 8-1/2 inches into his chest, puncturing his heart.As Circuit Court jurors deliberate today, they will have to decide if 20-year-old Iulai "Eli" Amani committed a crime when he stabbed the 21-year-old Auelua.
Gary Oakes, Amani's attorney, said yesterday in closing arguments that Amani was defending his brother, Tunu, from Auelua but didn't intend to kill him.
Oakes said Auelua was in a rage and ready to strike Amani's brother with a baseball bat.
He also said Amani's use of deadly force was justified because his brother faced the threat of serious injury or death, and urged jurors to acquit him.
But Deputy Prosecutor Glenn Kim said witnesses with no motive to lie said Amani used an overhead stabbing motion when he killed Auelua.
He folded a piece of letter-size paper, emphasizing its 8-1/2-inch width to illustrate the depth of the wound.
Kim reminded jurors that the knife went through the heart muscle and urged them to use common sense to reject the defense claim that Amani didn't know he had killed his victim.
He also said only Amani, his brother and a friend said that the victim had a bat, allowing them to allege that Amani was defending his brother.
"Just because someone is fighting your brother and getting the better of him doesn't give him the right to come in and stab him to death," Kim said. "That's the law of the jungle."
If convicted as charged, Amani faces life in prison with parole.
Carlisle says shooting report will be reviewed
Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Peter Carlisle yesterday received part of the police internal criminal investigation report on the Jan. 22 shooting of Rodney "Banks" Laulusa at Palolo Valley Housing."The evidence is complex and conflicting and I can't comment on it," Carlisle said. "We're looking at a preliminary discourse and waiting for the full report."
Carlisle added it's going to take time to review the report, noting "it's not an overnight thing."
The criminal report includes witness statements from 30 people and also medical and lab information related to the shooting.
The three police officers involved in the shooting declined to give statements to Internal Affairs investigators.
In a separate internal police administrative probe that will be conducted once the criminal side is resolved, the officers will be ordered to give statements.
Helicopters to undergo engine vibration tests
The Army and the Hawaii Army National Guard have grounded six UH-1 Huey helicopters as mechanics conduct engine vibration tests.The grounding order was issued by the Army over the weekend, prompted by incidents involving failure of an engine part.
The Army said the helicopters with engines that are experiencing vibration will remain grounded until they are fixed.
California surfer wins Big Wave prize money
Southern California surfer Taylor Knox was announced as the winner of the K2 $50,000 Big Wave Challenge last night at the Newport Beach Hard Rock Cafe.Santa Cruz surfer Peter Mel was awarded a $5,000 special prize for the huge wave that he rode at Maverick's near San Francisco.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffPolice charge man in beating death
Police yesterday charged a 36-year-old man in connection with the beating death of a 61-year-old Waipahu man.Pisaina Tupai was charged with manslaughter and is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail, police said.
The victim, Ronald Ching, died Sunday from head injures suffered in a fight Friday night at Campbell Industrial Park, police said.
HPD will honor officers for meritorious service
Officers Arcadio Ramos and Malcolm Uehara will be presented with the Honolulu Police Department Warrior bronze medals of merit for entering the water and saving the life of a "combative, disoriented" man last December at Ala Moana Beach Park.The Warrior bronze medal of merit is awarded to officers who "distinguish themselves by outstanding meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility."
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