Ex-girlfriend accuses
Hilo cop of beating her

The defense argues that her
memory is clouded by drug use

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By Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.com

HILO >> Choking back sobs throughout her testimony, Kau resident Kiana Dempster told a Hilo court that her former boyfriend, policeman Warren Ke, grabbed her throat, shook her, slapped her, dragged her into her bedroom and had sex with her on March 5, then held her two more days while her bruises healed.

Trial began yesterday for Ke, living with Dempster at her parents' Ocean View house at the time, for alleged abuse of a household member.

Ke's attorney, Brenda Carreira, told jurors Dempster cannot tell the truth because her memory is clouded by years of using "ice," crystal methamphetamine, and other drugs.

"She doesn't know what the truth is," Carreira said. "She's an addict."

Dempster, 21, came to public attention recently when she sought a restraining order against a different Kau policeman she accused of raping her as many as 100 times over five years while giving her drugs to control her.

A Kona judge denied the restraining order, saying Dempster admitted drugs clouded her memory.

That was a civil case. Dempster's attorney Robert Kim conceded it was her word against the officer's.

The current trial is a criminal case.

Carreira told jurors that Ke, who is in his late 30s and married with children, was not Dempster's boyfriend.

The prosecution presented a photograph taken by Dempster's mother, Theresa, showing the two sleeping together on a couch.

They also stayed together in Dempster's bedroom, the mother testified.

Dempster's brother, Charles Dempster Jr., testified to seeing Ke shake and slap his sister on March 5.

He also said he saw Ke punch his sister on March 10.

Carreira said Dempster and her family are trying to frame Ke, who currently is on leave with pay from his job.

Police officer Gerald Wike said he had to struggle to get Dempster to tell her story, calling her more than nine times before she talked about the alleged rapes by the other officer.

Detective Alex Grace testified she finally talked to police after the alleged attacks by Ke.

"She appeared to be a frightened victim who was not very open to talking to us," he said.

Dempster said she knows some of her actions do not make sense, like staying with Ke despite the abuse when he threatened suicide.

"That's how some relationships are," she testified. "I care about him. I want to be with him, but he hurts me."