Wife says Maui police
will not let her see report
on husband’s death

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By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

WAILUKU >> The wife of a man who died Tuesday morning after being arrested by Maui police said she has not been able to get a copy of the police report describing the circumstances leading to his death.

"I don't know the full story because the police won't give me the report," said Valerie Gregory, a registered nurse who lives in Pukalani. "They're telling me I have to get an attorney and subpoena them."

Her husband, Richard Gregory, 51, was pronounced dead at 3:23 a.m. Tuesday in the Lahaina industrial area after he was handcuffed following a struggle with officers, Maui County police Lt. Jon Morioka said.

Morioka said police are conducting an investigation into Gregory's death and that the results of an autopsy are pending toxicology tests. Medical examiner Tony Manoukian said that there appeared to be superficial abrasions on Gregory's knees and elbows but nothing that could explain the cause of death.

"There's no trauma or anything to suggest he was beaten," said Manoukian.

Lahaina police officers responded to a call at 10:39 p.m. Monday, alleging that a disorderly man was trespassing on private property at Limahana Place, Morioka said.

Police saw Gregory holding a pen and "behaving in a defiant and bizarre manner," he said. "Officers tried to pacify Mr. Gregory, who did not belong on the premises," Morioka said.

He said Gregory continued his behavior, and when officers tried to arrest him, he resisted.

Morioka said officers noticed Gregory was "unresponsive" after he was handcuffed.

Valerie Gregory said her husband, a musician, had been invited by a friend to visit a music studio at Limahana Place. She said her husband did not drink alcohol and never took drugs.

The Gregorys have four children. Richard Gregory also had three other children by another marriage.