Kaneohe man accused
of letting sick wife die

He allegedly told HPD he was
too ashamed to get medical help

---

Star-Bulletin staff

A 43-year-old Kaneohe man accused of murder by omission in his wife's death will appear in court Friday morning for a bail hearing.

Darren Yokotake was indicted last week on a second-degree murder charge for allegedly causing the death of his 38-year-old wife by intentionally or knowingly failing to seek medical treatment after her stroke.

Lisa Yokotake died March 21, 2001. Her husband was brought in for questioning at that time but not charged. The couple had two daughters.

"In my memory, this is the first case of murder by omission involving a spouse," said city Deputy Prosecutor Rom Trader. He said that in most such cases, the victims are children.

He would not comment further because Yokotake had not yet been arrested or arraigned.

Detective Clifford Rubio had said Lisa Yokotake had been ill for years and her condition deteriorated to the point where her husband said he was too ashamed to bring her to the hospital for treatment.

If convicted, Yokotake faces a maximum term of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.

Deputy Public Defender Dean Yamashiro said Yokotake has not been served with a warrant for his arrest. At the time of his indictment, a bench warrant was issued, and Yokotake's bail was set at $100,000. However, Yamashiro said they will try to have the bail lowered or have Yokotake, a lifelong Hawaii resident, put on some kind of release.

Yokotake will turn himself in after the hearing, Yamashiro said.