Plea bargain entered
in Kauai shooting

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Star-Bulletin staff

LIHUE >> A Kalaheo man who police said was trying to commit "suicide by cop" when he walked into Kauai police headquarters armed with a gun and a knife pleaded no contest yesterday to one count of attempted first-degree manslaughter.

Gerard Silva, now 46, was subdued by two police officers inside the entrance to the police station on March 15, 2000. Silva's gun fired but no one was injured. Silva made a statement to police saying he had hoped they would use "deadly force" trying to stop him because he was in so much pain.

Silva initially had been charged with attempted first-degree murder, which carries a sentence of life without parole. Prosecutors said with yesterday's plea bargain he faces probation with one year in jail, which he already has served, up to a maximum of 45 years in prison. Sentencing was set for May 10.

First Deputy Prosecutor Crag DeCosta said Silva was allowed to plead to the reduced charge because he was "under extreme mental or emotional distress." Silva suffers from severe arthritis and other ailments.