Babysitter indicted in child's '97 death
An Oahu grand jury last week indicted a woman for the murder of an 8-month-old child in her care nearly four years ago.Beryl Young, 34, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder in the death of Justin Cruz on Sept. 29, 1997.
The baby apparently was OK when his parents dropped him off at Young's home. Later that day, the baby was found lifeless in a crib.
The indictment did not say why it took this long for charges to be brought against Young. Young could not be reached for comment.
If convicted as charged, Young faces life with the possibility of parole.
Second crime-spree suspect changes plea
The second of four males accused of attacking people, smashing car windows and brandishing weapons during a November crime spree that led them from Pearl City to Kailua has changed his plea.Lelauti Sakaria, 20, pleaded guilty yesterday before Circuit Judge Michael Town to three counts of first-degree robbery and kidnapping.
He faces 20 years on the robbery counts and 10 years for Class B kidnapping when sentenced Oct. 9.
He could have faced 20 years for the kidnapping because the victim was not voluntarily released but had to be dragged from the car by her boyfriend, said Deputy Prosecutor Wayne Tashima.
The state agreed to allow Sakaria to plead to the Class B kidnapping in exchange for his guilty pleas on the robbery counts.
Glenn Choy, Sakaria's court-appointed attorney, said his client decided to plead guilty because he wants to take responsibility for his actions.
Co-defendant Vito John Talo, 17, who was to be tried as an adult, has pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree robbery.
Liliha library selling books for a song
The Friends of Liliha Public Library will hold a used book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 11.Most books will cost between 25 cents and $5. Sports cards, music tapes and videos will also be available.
Parking will be on the roof of the library, located at 1515 Liliha St.
For more details, call 587-7577.
Elderly man off the hook for $2,300 vacuum
The company that financed the sale of a $2,300 vacuum cleaner to an elderly Waipahu man rescinded the agreement after the Star-Bulletin responded to the family's complaint that he had been duped.The case of 87-year-old Yoshikazu Takenaka, who purchased the vacuum from a door-to-door salesman, was featured Sunday in a front-page "Raising Cane" column.
For several weeks, Burton Wong, Takenaka's son-in-law, had tried unsuccessfully to get the contract canceled.
But a Beneficial Hawaii official told Wong on Saturday -- a day after the Star-Bulletin inquired about the case -- that his father-in-law would no longer be responsible for the agreement.
The vacuum was taken back that day, and yesterday Wong was told his father-in-law would be given another one by City Cleaners -- the vacuum supplier -- to replace the old one he had used as a trade-in.
The Star-Bulletin had called Beneficial on Friday to ask about the case, but a manager could not be reached for comment. Beneficial confirmed yesterday that the financing agreement was canceled.
"I'm happy that it came to a good conclusion," Wong said.
Takenaka suffers from senile dementia.
Corrections and clarifications
>> A photo of legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku is shown here. A photo with "Winners and Losers" on Page A13 Sunday incorrectly showed actor Sean Kaawa, who portrayed Kahanamoku in a movie.>> Daniel Ishii was appointed vice chancellor of student and community affairs for the UH Community Colleges. A story on Page A4 Friday incorrectly said he was appointed vice president for the colleges. Also in the same article, Mark Silliman's last name was spelled incorrectly.
>> Actor Sam Neill appeared in the first and third movies in the "Jurassic Park" series. A story on Page A5 Saturday about the Kauai premiere of "Jurassic Park III" incorrectly said that he was in all three movies.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Publisher and Editor in Chief John Flanagan at 529-4748 or email him at jflanagan@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Attempted murder charged in stabbing with scissors
Honolulu police charged a 23-year-old homeless man yesterday with attempted murder.Isaac Ulu is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail for allegedly stabbing a 37-year-old fisherman Sunday.
Police said the victim was riding a bike along the bridge that crosses Moanalua Stream near the Keehi interchange when he encountered the suspect. Police said there was a confrontation between the two during which the suspect stabbed the victim multiple times with a pair of scissors.
The victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.
Gas vapors in manhole close Iwilei Road section
Gas Co. repairs forced the closure of Iwilei Road and North Queen Street yesterday. According to Honolulu Fire Department officials, Gas Co. workers found an extra-high concentration of synthetic natural gas as they were entering a manhole near Iwilei Road and Nimitz Highway.HFD spokesman Ken Tejada said the leak was reported at 10:20 a.m.
"Fortunately, the gas dissipated and never got into the explosive range," he said. "Police did not have to evacuate anybody, and the (Gas Co.) workers were able to isolate that valve without shutting down service. We just monitored for gas concentrations."
Gas Co. officials said the repair work was expected to be completed by midnight.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Search continues for man with Alzheimer's disease
WAILUKU >> Molokai fire personnel and police are looking for a 72-year-old man who has Alzheimer's disease and has been missing since Saturday.Wally Silva, wearing jeans and a white T-shirt with yellow sleeves, wandered from his residence at Kalamaula in Central Molokai at about 3 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.
Fire Capt. Gabriel Puaa said authorities were expanding their search after looking in the Kalamaula area yesterday.
"We're trying to get information from the community," Puaa said.
Residents may call Molokai fire officials at 553-5601 or police, 553-5355.
