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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Attempted murder charged in burn case
HILO » A Big Island man who allegedly set a sleeping man on fire has been indicted for attempted murder.
Police and court records say Alison Noboru Matsuda, 61, of Hilo poured a flammable liquid on Richard Kazmierski, 43, while Kazmierski slept on Feb. 16.
Kazmierski suffered first, second and third degree burns.
The motive for the attack is unknown, Deputy Prosecutor Michael Kagami said.
Kazmierski was initially treated at Hilo Medical Center, where he was in stable condition.
He was later transferred to Queen's Medical Center, Kagami said. His current condition was not available.
Matsuda is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.
A panel of three psychologists was appointed to determine whether Matsuda is fit for trial, but their reports are not complete, Kagami said.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Police suspect alcohol in Big Isle fatal crash
A 28-year-old North Kohala man died yesterday from injuries he received in a single-car crash in Waikoloa.
Big Island police identified the victim as Eddie Boy Durante of Kapaau.
Police responded to a 2:16 a.m. call on Waikoloa Road at the five-mile marker.
Officers determined that Durante, the driver, had lost control of the car and ran off the side of the road and hit a bridge railing.
Durante was thrown from the vehicle, police said. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:30 a.m.
Police believe speed and alcohol were factors in the crash. The driver was not wearing a seat belt, police said. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to call officer Sharlotte Bird at 326-3636, extension 229.
This is the 12th Big Island traffic fatality this year, compared with 11 the same time last year.
HONOLULU
Co-worker arrested for alleged assault on job
Police arrested a 24-year- old man who allegedly hit a 39-year-old co-worker with a metal object.
Police said the two men were arguing at their workplace, the Salvation Army at 322 Sumner St., when the younger man allegedly struck the older man with a metal shaft.
Police were called and arrested the suspect after he was identified at the scene.
The 39-year-old man was taken to a hospital emergency room where he was treated for his injuries.
The case is pending investigation.
Police seek 3 teens in downtown stabbing
Police are looking for three teenagers who were allegedly involved in a stabbing in downtown early yesterday.
Police said a man, 29, got into an argument with the teens, all of them males between the ages of 17 and 19, near the intersection of North Kukui Street and Nuuanu Avenue at 12:39 a.m.
During the argument a fight broke out and one of the suspects allegedly stabbed the man in the stomach.
The suspects then took off running up Nuuanu Avenue, police said.
The man was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in serious condition. Police are investigating the case as an attempted murder.
Granddaughter arrested in car theft
Police arrested a 15-year-old Kalihi girl for allegedly stealing her grandmother's vehicle.
The grandmother, 54, reported her vehicle stolen about 10:30 p.m. Sunday and suspected her granddaughter when she could not find the keys.
A couple of hours later, the woman arrived home from the store and saw her granddaughter driving the vehicle, police said.
The grandmother called police, who arrested the girl for auto theft. She was later released pending an investigation.
WAIKIKI
Women allegedly have shirts stolen off backs
Police were looking for a couple who allegedly robbed two women at gunpoint, stealing the shirts off their backs.
The couple, a man and woman in their late 20s, allegedly gave the victims, ages 22 and 21, a ride from Waikiki at 4 a.m. Sunday and drove them to the Ala Moana area.
Once there, the woman allegedly pulled out a handgun and demanded the victims' jewelry, handbags, and blouses. The couple then ordered the victims out of the vehicle and fled, police said.