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REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS
The Victims
Christopher "Jason" Balatico, 33
FATHER OF A SON, A DAUGHTERChristopher "Jason" Balatico, 33, Kalihi Valley:
A husband and father of a son and a daughter, he loved to make people laugh and play practical jokes. He was also a popular baseball player while at Farrington High School. A co-worker called him "a warm and loving person." He worked at Xerox for eight years.
Ford Kanehira, 41
FATHER OF ONE SON
A husband and father of a 5-year-old son; friends say he married his high-school sweetheart. Cousin Chester Kanehira described him as "a very cheerful person, childlike and innocent." A Castle High School graduate, he was a Xerox employee for 19 years.
Ronald Kataoka, 50
FATHER OF ONE DAUGHTER
A husband and the father of a daughter; neighbors said they would see father and daughter playing basketball together in the driveway. A Vietnam War veteran, "he was always smiling, he never shouted at his family," said a neighbor. A Leilehua High School graduate, he was with Xerox for 27 years.
Ronald Kawamae, 54
FATHER OF A SON; ALSO A GRANDFATHER
A father and grandfather. Son Reid Kawamae said the birth of his own son, now 4, helped bring him close to his father before his death. Kawamae's co-workers said he was quick to help less-experienced colleagues. "He was very good at what he did," said co-worker Ian Yee. A Kaimuki High School graduate, he was a Xerox employee for 30 years.
Melvin Lee, 58
FATHER OF THREE CHILDREN
A husband and the father of three children; co-workers said he was close to retirement. Soft-spoken and nonconfrontational, "he's not the kind of guy who would anger somebody," said one co-worker. "Nobody gets mad at Mel." A Waipahu High School graduate, he was with Xerox for 32 years.
Peter Mark, 46
FATHER OF TWO CHILDREN
A husband and the father of two young children, he loved the ocean and his family. "He always cared about his children and wanted to give them the right guidance and direction in life," said his uncle, Ronald Mark. "He really looked forward to coming home after work." A Kaimuki High School graduate, he worked at Xerox for 19 years.
John Sakamoto, 36
FATHER OF A SON, A DAUGHTER
A husband and father of two young children -- a son and a daughter -- he was also an avid fisherman who enjoyed being on his boat. A former Kalani High School student, he was with Xerox for 10 years.
Ones who escaped
Steve Matsuda
BARELY ESCAPES AFTER UYESUGI SHOOTS AT HIM BUT MISSES Randal Shin
IN THE SAME ROOM WITH TWO SHOT COLLEAGUES,
HE WAS 'DESELECTED' FOR DEATH Ronald Yamanaka
IN A BREAK ROOM, WAS THE FIRST TO SEE UYESUGI
THAT MORNING JUST BEFORE SHOOTINGS BEGAN
Opening Arguments from May 15, 2000
Xerox killings - Nov. 2, 1999
