Ruling permits parents
to care for airport shooter
A federal magistrate ruled Thursday that a Kauai man who admitted to threatening an airport security officer and firing two gunshots inside Lihue Airport should be released to his parents pending sentencing.
U.S. Magistrate Barry Kurren held that Lloyd Albinio, 24, should be released to his mother and stepfather on Kauai until he is sentenced Nov. 17 because he poses little risk to the community.
However, Albinio will remain in custody until at least Monday, when a hearing will be held to discuss the terms of his release. Prosecutors said they intend to appeal Kurren's ruling.
Albinio, of Kapaa, pleaded guilty June 27 to firing the shots May 8 that led to the closure of the small airport and forced the evacuation of about 200 people.
No one was injured, though passengers said they feared for their lives.
Federal public defender Peter Wolff argued Albinio posed no threat to the community as long as he takes antipsychotic medication as prescribed by a doctor.
Wolff asked that Albinio be released under strict conditions that include monitoring by relatives and health care workers to ensure that he takes his medication.
Kurren said the psychiatric treatment Albinio will receive during his release could prove beneficial.
"He's going to have to go home at some time in his life," Kurren said. "I am very clearly convinced that with appropriate treatment, he does not present a danger to the community."
The prosecution argued that Albinio's progress in detainment was not an indicator of how he would function once back in the situations -- and with the people -- that led to the airport incident.
Albinio did not speak during the hearing, but smiled and waved to his family when he left the U.S. District Court on Thursday.