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Pool photo by William Ing
Appearing yesterday in court are, from left, Stanton Oshiro,
defense attorney for Oliver White; defendant White; David
Kuwahara, attorney for Jason Santos; and Santos.

Attorney says murder
suspect’s head injury
caused impairment

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Star-Bulletin staff

HILO -- One of the suspects in the 1994 Big Island murder of Kauai resident Vernon Souza Jr. may be too mentally impaired by a head injury in a 1995 car accident to stand trial, his attorney said.

Lawyer Stanton Oshiro told Judge Riki May Amano yesterday that Oliver White, 27, recently returned to Hawaii from North Dakota, did not seem to understand when Oshiro explained the murder and robbery charges.

Amano ordered a panel of three psychologists to examine White. White entered no plea during yesterday's arraignment, but David Kuwahara, attorney for Jason Santos, 29, entered a not-guilty plea for his client.

Amano set trial for Feb. 26 for Santos. White will also be tried then if he is found mentally fit.

Kuwahara asked that Santos' bail be reduced, but Deputy Prosecutor Craig Masuda said Santos tried to escape when he was recently taken into custody in Nevada and that he has threatened to kill some witnesses.

Bail was maintained at $350,000 for both men.

Souza, described as a rodeo rider and horse trader, was found with head injuries and a cut throat in burning bushes off the Saddle Road in 1994.