Darren Yokotake did everything he could to care for his disabled wife after she suffered a stroke seven years ago. But under the law, it wasn't enough. Negligent husband gets
jail term in wife’s deathBy Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.comYesterday, Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto sentenced Yokotake, 44, of Kaneohe, to a year in jail and 10 years probation after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter for failing to seek proper medical care for Lisa Yokotake in the last five months of her life.
Lisa Yokotake, 38, died March 21, 2001. At the time of her death, she had gaping, gangrenous bedsores the size of saucers on her back and hip that had eaten away at her flesh until bone was exposed. "He loved his wife, but she certainly didn't deserve to die that way," said Deputy Prosecutor Rom Trader, who argued that one year in jail was appropriate under the circumstances.
Yokotake knew his wife's condition was extremely grave and he made the choice not to take her to the doctor because he was ashamed or scared, Trader said.
"We are here because Mr. Yokotake had not just a moral but legal obligation to his wife -- to provide her with one basic thing: appropriate medical care."
While one year in jail may seem harsh and Yokotake did everything he thought he could, Trader said, it was his responsibility to seek proper medical care and he didn't, causing her to die.
Yokotake was initially charged with murder by omission, but reached an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to the lesser charge and serve at least a year in jail.
Deputy public defender Ed Harada described Yokotake as an honorable man who tried to do the best he could for his wife since she suffered an aneurysm seven years ago. "Darren Yokotake is a better man than me and probably most men out there," Harada said.