Police Beat
Advertiser Staff
Suspect in fatal shooting arrested
Pearl City patrol officers yesterday arrested a man wanted for questioning in the investigation of a fatal shooting in Waipahu Saturday.
The 24-year-old man who was arrested was a passenger in a Chevrolet pickup stopped for speeding on H-1 Freeway near the Ka'onohi Street overpass shortly before midnight.
According to witness statements, a 21-year-old was killed with a double-barrel, sawed-off shotgun at 2:20 a.m. Saturday. The medical examiner's office was still trying to confirm his identity.
Baby's death being investigated
KA'U, Hawai'i — Police are investigating whether a 2-month-old infant who died last week was a victim of child abuse.
The boy's father called 911 on March 24 to report that the baby was having trouble breathing, said Lt. Henry Hickman. Fire Department personnel arrived at the residence in Kahuku, tried to revive the baby and took him to Ka'u Community Hospital. The boy was pronounced dead at 5:29 p.m. that same day.
The baby's death initially was classified as a routine coroner's inquest, but now is being investigated as a possible manslaughter case after preliminary autopsy results released Friday indicated the boy died of "abusive head trauma," Hickman said.
As of yesterday, no arrests had been made.
Trial for mortuary operators delayed
HILO, Hawai'i — The theft trial for a family that operates a Big Island mortuary has been delayed until Oct. 6 to allow defense lawyers more time to review documents the state has collected in the case.
The state has filed 39 theft charges against Robert Diego, his wife Momi and their daughter Bobbie Jean as well as their companies, Diego Mortuary Inc. and Memorial Mortuary Plan Inc.
The state has accused the Diegos of selling funeral plans without a license and failing to maintain a trust account to protect the money.
State investigators earlier were also looking into claims in connection with the case that bodies were buried without caskets but abandoned that investigation because of lack of evidence.
The Diegos are free on bail of $2,000 each while awaiting trial.
