Posted on: Friday, January 25, 2002
Jury selected for Arakawa manslaughter trial
By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer
A Circuit Court jury of nine women and three men has been selected to hear the case against former Honolulu police officer Clyde Arakawa, who faces a reckless-manslaughter charge in connection with the October 2000 traffic death of a 19-year-old University of Hawai'i student.
Prosecutors contend that Arakawa, 49, was drunk when his 1993 Ford Thunderbird struck a 2000 Honda Civic at the intersection of Pali Highway and School Street, killing Dana Ambrose.
But Arakawa's lawyer, Michael Ostendorp, claims Ambrose was speeding home from work and ran a red light at the intersection.
Ostendorp contends Arakawa, who was off duty, did not cause the collision.
The incident caused a furor when Police Chief Lee Donohue acknowledged a few days later that Arakawa received special treatment from fellow police officers in the hours after the crash.
Arakawa was allowed to call his lawyer from the scene of the accident and was not required to provide a breath or blood sample to measure possible alcohol impairment immediately after the accident.
Opening statements in the trial, which is expected to last two to three weeks, are set for 9 a.m. Tuesday before Circuit Judge Karen Ahn.
Arakawa: Claims woman ran red light.
