Test shows ‘ice’
use by fugitiveThe man fatally shot by police
last week was on crystal meth
The 32-year-old fugitive killed in a shootout with police last Thursday had crystal methamphetamine in his system, the city's chief medical examiner said yesterday.
Kanthi Von Guenthner said Gordon Morse had an undetermined amount of crystal methamphetamine in his system when he died.
Von Guenthner said the toxicology screening test performed locally shows the presence of crystal methamphetamine but not the quantity. More extensive toxicology testing will be performed on the mainland.
At the Mayor Wright Homes apartment complex last Thursday, Morse allegedly shot at police from a second-story ledge, injuring veteran officer Ermie Barroga Jr. in the arm and neck.
Police fired back, killing Morse.
During the shootout, 19-year-old Manuel Kalaluhi was shot in the arm. He was arrested for hindering prosecution but later released.
Also arrested was Wade Martin, who was charged with hindering prosecution.
At Martin's preliminary hearing yesterday, witness Cheyenne Aikau said that Morse had visited a Mayor Wright apartment at least five or six times before he was fatally shot.
Aikau is the registered occupant of the third-floor unit where police converged last Thursday to arrest Morse. She testified yesterday in District Court that she first met Morse in May when he came to her apartment looking for Martin, who was her former boyfriend.
Aikau said she overheard Morse telling Martin he was looking for a place to stay because he was wanted by police in connection with a May 21 incident on Round Top Drive.
Police suspected Morse of being the driver of a pickup that dragged an officer 10 to 15 feet, one of a series of car thefts and carjackings in the Honolulu area that are believed to be related. The officer suffered minor leg injuries.
Aikau was not at home at the time of the shooting.
Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter said Aikau's testimony shows Martin had prior notice that Morse was wanted by the authorities and helped hide him.
When several officers knocked at the unit's front door and identified themselves, a man later identified as Martin slammed the door in their face, Officer Joseph Lum testified.
District Judge Lono Lee ruled there was probable cause to find that Martin did commit the offense of hindering prosecution, and sent the case to Circuit Court. Martin, a convicted felon who is on probation for a 2003 car theft, will be arraigned July 6. He is being held on $35,000 bail.