Escapee’s girlfriend
says he is actually
a good man

---

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

State hospital escapee Leonard Moore made his first court appearance yesterday in District Court after his capture early Wednesday in Kahala.

Moore, 35, was to be returned to Oahu Community Correctional Center until his preliminary hearing, set for May 22 by District Judge Russell Blair. Bail was confirmed at $100,000.

Moore escaped from the hospital twice, the last on April 7. He was ordered there on March 20 so doctors could examine him to determine whether he is fit to stand trial for an auto theft last October.

In light of Moore's past escapes, state Health Director Bruce Anderson said Moore will not be returned to the state hospital for his examination.

Moore will likely remain at OCCC until it is determined if he is competent, said Warden Clayton Frank.

Moore's girlfriend, Thurina Risner, said yesterday that he is wrongfully accused in the auto theft and the rash of recent burglaries in Kahala, including one where the suspect was shot at twice by police.

Police have no positive ID on the suspect other than he "fit the description," she said.

She said Moore broke out from the state hospital because he does not belong there.

"He shouldn't have been at OCCC to begin with," she said.

Contrary to reports, she said, Moore is not mentally ill.

"He is all there; he doesn't use drugs or drink. ... He's a good man."

She fears for his safety if he is returned to OCCC because he wrote her once that he was beaten by prison guards while housed in the psychiatric unit and was denied requests to see a doctor.

Frank said they have no records that any assault against Moore took place while he was incarcerated last year.

Risner said she last spent time with Moore on Oct. 14 but lost contact with him after that because they were having problems.

Just four days later, police arrested Moore for driving a stolen car after noticing that the driver had not stopped for a stop sign.

The car Moore was driving was reported stolen Oct. 11 from a Kahala residence.