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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, July 22, 2002

Isolation continued for Taiwan suspect

Associated Press

A Chinese cook accused of killing the captain and first mate aboard a Taiwanese fishing boat must remain in solitary confinement pending trial, a judge has ruled.

Shi Lei, a cook, is accused of murder on a fishing boat.

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Shi Lei, 21, has been held at the Federal Detention Center on O'ahu since his March 21 arrest.

He is accused of killing the captain and first mate in international waters and then taking control of the ship, the Full Means 2. Crew members later regained control and set sail for Hawai'i, where federal authorities seized the ship and arrested Shi.

Assistant federal public defender Pamela Byrne has been seeking Shi's release to the prison's general population, arguing that pretrial solitary confinement is more appropriate for unruly prisoners, gang members or terrorists.

Prosecutors contend the confinement is appropriate, saying Shi has a violent nature.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin S.C. Chang denied the motion Friday saying he did not think the prison was intentionally discriminating against Shi Lei.

Shi's trial is scheduled for September.

Attorneys have said that expected procedural matters, including a review by Attorney General John Ashcroft on whether the death penalty is warranted, could push the date back.