Spouse accused of fatal neglect

By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 43-year-old Kane'ohe man has been indicted by the O'ahu grand jury on a charge of murdering his wife last year by failing to seek and obtain medical treatment for her.

The indictment returned last week charges Darren Yokotake with second-degree murder. He is accused of causing the March 21, 2001, death of his wife, Lisa Mariko Yokotake, 38, who had suffered a stroke in November 2000.

The so-called "murder by omission" charge is sometimes brought in Hawai'i against parents suspected of physically abusing their child and failing to seek proper and timely medical care, resulting in the child's death.

The charge rarely has been used for a married couple. City Deputy prosecutor Rom Trader, who is handling the case, said it is the first "murder by omission" case he could recall against a spouse.

Trader declined to talk about the case, because Yokotake had not been arrested as of yesterday afternoon.

A bench warrant for Yokotake's arrest, with bail set at $100,000, was issued following his indictment.

Dean Yamashiro, state chief deputy public defender, said his office would represent Yokotake and a bail reduction hearing likely would be held in Circuit Court later this week, possibly Friday.

Yamashiro said he could recall only one similar case, many years ago when an elderly man was charged in connection with the death of his invalid wife.

According to her sister, Gail Kawasaki, Lisa Yokotake was a housewife who had a stroke several years ago and was bedridden, being cared for by Darren Yokotake.

Kawasaki said police had not given her much information, but she assumed the case involved neglect. She said Lisa and Darren Yokotake were married for about 17 years.

The family had no comment.

Under Hawai'i law, second-degree murder carries a mandatory life term with parole.

Advertiser staff writer Brandon Masuoka contributed to this report.