Jury returns manslaughter verdict

The stabbing death of a man outside a Waimalu bar three years ago is manslaughter, not murder.

An Oahu jury returned the manslaughter verdict yesterday in the murder trial of Frank Sanes.

This was the second time Sanes stood trial for murder for the killing of Bill Refilong outside Star Karaoke lounge at Waimalu Shopping Center on Dec. 1, 2005. A state judge declared a mistrial in March 2007 after a previous jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Sanes said he acted in self-defense after seeing what he believed was a weapon in Refilong's hand. The state says Refilong was not armed and was not threatening anybody.

State hospital inmate indicted

A man found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity is facing a new trial for allegedly assaulting a doctor at the Hawaii State Hospital.

An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment this week charging Michael Lawrence, 32, with second-degree assault. The assault allegedly happened May 2.

The state says the doctor had just completed performing an annual physical examination of the defendant when Lawrence punched the doctor eight to 10 times in the face and had to be pulled off him.

Circuit Court Judge Derrick Chan set bail at $30,000.

Lawrence admitted that he killed vacuum cleaner salesman Melchor Tabag in 1999, dismembered the body and disposed of it at a refuse station.

But a state judge found in 2002 that Lawrence suffered from a mental disease, did not realize what he did was wrong and therefore was not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. Three mental health experts had diagnosed Lawrence as schizophrenic and delusional.

Following the verdict, the judge ordered Lawrence committed to the State Hospital for care and treatment.

EMS facility opens in Wahiawa

A new paramedic facility was dedicated this week in Wahiawa, giving the Emergency Services Department a new home in the area.

The Wahiawa Emergency Medical Services unit has operated out of a 200-square-foot office at Wahiawa General Hospital for the past 12 years. The new structure is 1,512 square feet and located at 640 California Ave.

The Wahiawa EMS unit began operating in the area in 1979, and received about 300 calls that year. The Wahiawa unit received more than 1,800 calls last year.

Pahoa library to get upgrades

Pahoa Public and School Library is getting $721,000 for health and safety projects, including new carpeting and upgrades to a storm water drainage system.

Access to the library's entrance also will be improved, Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday in announcing the release of the funds. The library is on the Pahoa High and Intermediate School campus.

The projects, which should cost more than $1 million, are expected to be completed in September.