Martial artist seeks return to his career after acquittal
Mixed martial arts fighter Jason "Mayhem" Miller says he wants to resume his professional career knocking down opponents in the ring now that he has been acquitted of criminal charges.
A Circuit Court jury took about 2 1/2 hours to find Miller not guilty yesterday of first-degree burglary, third-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal property damage in the Dec. 17, 2005, incident at his girlfriend's Nuuanu apartment.
Miller was accused of kicking in the door after his girlfriend refused to open up and assaulting her male friend who had stayed over.
Miller maintained he did not intend to damage the door and did not throw one punch during a four-minute scuffle with the other man, who held him in a bear hug and tried to hold him until help arrived.
"Jason is looking forward to moving on with his career, having learned a very valuable lesson," said defense attorney David Hayakawa. "His goal is to win back the respect of his fans."
Miller also regrets the strain it caused his girlfriend, his attorney said. The couple has since reunited.
Prosecutors were not available for comment.