Posted on: Tuesday, August 20, 2002

Prosecutors dismiss pilot's assault charge

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

The third-degree assault case against an American Airlines pilot accused of assaulting a Honolulu airport screener May 9 has been dropped for lack of evidence, said Jim Fulton of the Honolulu prosecuting attorney's office yesterday.

Harry Hartsough's attorney, David Hayakawa, said airport security tapes did not support the charge against the Dallas-based pilot, and statements from witnesses gathered by state sheriff's officers were inconclusive, prompting prosecutors to drop the charge.

Airport security agent Michael Botelho, who claims to have suffered an eye injury when struck by Hartsough's jacket, has a civil suit pending against the pilot.

In a separate case, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Brent White plans to file a motion to dismiss petty misdemeanor charges against a Hermosa Beach, Calif., dentist who was taken off an interisland flight, detained for two hours and cited for complaining about being searched at three security checkpoints May 10.

Dr. Fred Stuart's trial is scheduled for Sept. 10 in District Court.