Ex-officer's trial to begin

By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

Today will be a marathon for jurors in the manslaughter trial of former Honolulu police officer Clyde Arakawa.

Clyde Arakawa is expected to claim that the crash victim ran a red light. Advertiser library photo • Sept. 28, 2001

At 9 tonight, the jurors will view the intersection of Pali Highway and School Street where Arakawa's 1993 Thunderbird collided in October 2000 with a 2000 Honda Civic driven by 19-year-old Dana Ambrose, who died of injuries from the crash.

The H-1 Pali Highway offramp, eastbound, and the intersection of Pali Highway and School Street will be closed from 8:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for the jury visit. Traffic will be diverted

The prosecution will claim that Arakawa, now 50, was drunk when he ran a red light while speeding toward Kailua on the Pali Highway. He was off duty at the time. Ostendorp will argue that Ambrose was speeding home from work on School Street and that she — not Arakawa — ran the red light.

The treatment Arakawa received from fellow officers after the collision generated a public outcry. Police Chief Lee Donohue acknowledged Arakawa received "courtesies" not extended to ordinary citizens.

TV news footage showed Arakawa walking freely around the crash site embracing and talking with officers. The police union notified a lawyer, who appeared at the scene of the 11:15 p.m. crash.

It was disclosed Friday that officers involved in the police investigation of the crash have been demoted or suspended. But neither Carlisle nor Ostendorp would say yesterday what impact, if any, that disciplinary action might have on the trial.

Kimo Smith, O'ahu chapter chairman for the State of Hawai'i Organization of Police Officers, said Friday 12 officers had been suspended or demoted, but yesterday he said the number is not that high.

Reach David Waite at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8030.