Body of man BERNARD "Chachi" Crivello, who died after being shot by a police officer Tuesday, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee that had been reported stolen Sept. 11 from Tripler Army Medical Center.
killed by police to
be tested for drugs
No weapons or drugs were
found in the stolen Jeep
the man was drivingBy Rod Ohira
Star-BulletinCoincidentally, Crivello's birthday was Sept. 11.
An autopsy performed yesterday determined Crivello died from a single gunshot to the head and brain.
Internal Affairs Lt. Greg Poole, who is supervising the criminal probe of the shooting, said police will subpoena Queen's Medical Center for records, especially the first blood sample that was taken from Crivello to determine his blood type.
The subpoenaed blood sample will be screened for drugs to determine whether Crivello, 25, was under the influence at the time of the incident.
Police obtained permission yesterday from the Army Criminal Investigation Division to search the stolen vehicle.
Poole said no weapons or drugs were found.
Investigators also checked the Jeep's steering, brakes and accelerator to determine whether Crivello's actions may have been caused by a malfunction.
"Everything appeared to be in proper working order," Poole said.
The case is classified as a murder, just as it would be if no police officer were involved.
After Internal Affairs finishes gathering facts, its findings will be presented to Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Peter Carlisle's office for a determination on whether the shooting was justified.
One of the six sections governing justification is whether the action was taken for self-protection, either for one's own life or the lives of others.
The 29-year-old officer who shot Crivello has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
There have been reports that the officer was ordered by another officer to shoot Crivello.
"We checked that out," Poole said, noting that the second officer arrived about a minute after the shooting. "We have witnesses that say a man was yelling out to the officer to shoot.
"The witnesses were able to point that person out."
Internal Affairs administrative personnel will conduct a separate probe into the shooting when the criminal investigation is completed.
The administrative probe reviews the case to see if the officer followed proper procedures.