Airline pilot Harry Hartsough, charged with misdemeanor assault of a Honolulu Airport security screener last week, did not appear in District Court this morning for his arraignment but his attorney entered a plea of not guilty in his behalf. Lawyer enters plea of
not guilty for accused pilotBy Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.com"We look forward to a complete investigation in this case," said his attorney, David Hayakawa. "We understand there is a security tape right here. We've already seen witnesses who said nothing happened."
Hartsough, 51, is scheduled for another court appearance on June 10, when he's expected to say whether he wants a jury trial. Hartsough also faces a civil suit filed in federal court yesterday by Michael Botelho, who alleges he "suffered severe and permanent personal injuries, including injuries to his eye."
Botelho seeks unspecified damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, according to the lawsuit.
Law enforcement officers arrested Hartsough and charged him with third-degree assault on May 9. Hartsough was taken to the Honolulu District Court cell block and released on $100 bail. He returned to his home in Texas and was scheduled to return to Honolulu to appear in court this morning.
According to Honolulu Airport manager Stanford Miyamoto, Hartsough tossed his shoes in the air after being asked to remove them when they set off a hand-held alarm at a security checkpoint. As Botelho bent down to pick up one of the shoes, Hartsough's coat may have caught the screener in the eye, causing a minor injury, Miyamoto said earlier.
Hartsough was to have piloted an American Airlines flight to Dallas/Fort Worth. It departed an hour late with a different crew, Miyamoto said.
The suit claims Hartsough acted carelessly and negligently striking, assaulting or coming in contact with Botelho.
Star-Bulletin reporter Nelson Daranciang
contributed to this report.