Families file suit
over Uyesugi killings

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By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

Family members of seven men shot to death by Byran Uyesugi on Nov. 2, 1999, filed lawsuits in Circuit Court yesterday against Xerox officials and physicians for negligence and emotional distress.

In the lawsuit, the victims' families alleged that physicians at Castle and Kaiser medical centers were negligent by failing to provide adequate warning to others of Uyesugi's mental illness and to arrange continued care for Uyesugi.

The families also filed a wrongful death and emotional distress action against Xerox.

The seven victims -- Ford Kanehira, Ronald Kataoka, Ronald Kawamae, Peter Mark, Christopher "Jason" Balatico, John K. Sakamoto and Melvin Lee -- were shot to death after Uyesugi fired multiple shots on the second floor of the Xerox building, then on Nimitz Highway.

Although Uyesugi suffered from a delusional disorder, physicians at Castle Medical Center released him only after five days of observation and treatment, the victims' families alleged.

Uyesugi also was seen by a psychiatrist at Kaiser Medical Center. But he terminated his care with the doctor.

From 1993 to 1999, Xerox received numerous complaints of Uyesugi's behavior from various companies, and his behavior was described as "threatening and verbally abusive," according to the suit.

Also, the victims' families contended management at Xerox was aware of Uyesugi's violent behavior and mental illness but failed to take action to protect the company's employees.