Prison escapee says
care was lacking
Prison escapee Albert Batalona concedes that he fled from the Halawa Correctional Facility in April but says he did so because he was being deprived of proper medical care, his attorney said yesterday.
Batalona and codefendant Warren Elicker went on trial yesterday on charges of second-degree escape. Another escapee, David Scribner, pleaded guilty in June.
Batalona also is charged with second-degree robbery for allegedly hijacking a car from its owner and robbing another man of his cellular phone at the Stadium Mall area shortly after their escape.
During opening statements yesterday, Nelson Goo, Batalona's attorney, read an excerpt from a letter written by Batalona saying "the facility is slowing (sic) trying to kill me."
Elicker claims he also left the prison because he was receiving death threats against him and his family by members of a rival gang and that the guards knew about it but did nothing.
Deputy Prosecutor Jean Ireton said the escape from Halawa was carefully planned.
She said Batalona and Elicker had intimidated the car owner and his friend in the Stadium Mall robbery with their demeanor and facial expressions. During the robbery, Batalona had put his hand under his shirt, appearing as though he was carrying a weapon, she said.
Batalona, Elicker and Scribner fled the prison April 4 after digging a hole in the wall in their respective cells and using knotted sheets to rappel into a utility room that led out to the main prison gate.
The trio drove to the Windward side in the stolen car and spent six days in the hills above Hauula before being captured in separate locations within minutes of one another.
