City wants
no bail for Vesper

Prosecutors say the man accused
of running over an officer is a threat

City prosecutors are asking that a man who allegedly ran over a police officer in a stolen van earlier this month be held without bail.

Based on the charges filed against Daniel Vesper III, who is also accused of violating terms of his probation, there appear to be no conditions that can ensure the safety of the community, deputy prosecutor Chris Van Marter argued in court documents.

Vesper, 43, is currently being held in lieu of $1.1 million bail after he was indicted Dec. 8 on several felony charges, including first-degree attempted murder for allegedly running over police Officer Jeffrey Omai and two other robberies that occurred within a 12-day period. Vesper is also charged with auto theft and criminal property damage in separate cases that occurred during that same period.

Yesterday, defense attorneys agreed that Vesper be held without bail temporarily until they have had an opportunity to review the police and bail reports and a hearing is held. Vesper pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday, and his trial is scheduled for Feb. 14.

According to the state's motion, Vesper is accused of "carjacking" a newspaper carrier Dec. 1 by physically pulling her out of her van and slamming her to the ground. The following day, Vesper is accused of hitting a college student at the University of Hawaii with a baseball bat and stealing his mo-ped. Later that day, Vesper allegedly was driving the stolen van when he struck Omai, who was attempting to arrest him in the parking lot of the community college.

Omai suffered life-threatening injuries, and doctors said he is at high risk of permanent brain damage.

Earlier, on Nov. 20, Vesper allegedly used a stolen car he was driving as a "battering ram" to damage several cars, and nearly hit and ran over the manager of a Kalihi apartment building who had called police to report suspicious activity, prosecutors said.

Vesper faces a life-term imprisonment without parole if convicted of first-degree murder. Under state law there is a presumption that a defendant who faces serious penalties will flee and not show up for future hearings if allowed to post bail, prosecutors said. Also, because of the seriousness and number of offenses that Vesper allegedly committed in a short period, there is a serious risk that he poses a danger to the community, Van Marter argued in his motion.

Vesper allegedly told police after he was arrested Dec. 3 that he saw Omai in the community college parking lot but was not going to stop, and that he would do it again.

Vesper already was on probation for auto theft, reckless driving and resisting an order to stop. Because he violated the terms of his probation, prosecutors requested that it be revoked. Arguments on that request will be heard Dec. 27.