Former Maui warden pleads not guilty to inmate assault

Advertiser Staff

WAILUKU, Maui — Former Maui Community Correctional Center warden Albert K. Murashige yesterday pleaded not guilty to felony charges of sexually assaulting a female inmate.

Murashige, who remains free on $100,000 bail, made his first appearance in court with more than a dozen family members and supporters.

He was arrested June 4 after a Maui grand jury indictment accused him of 13 felony offenses on five occasions in May and June. The indictment alleges Murashige inappropriately touched and groped a 44-year-old inmate.

Murashige appeared before District Court Judge Reinette Cooper yesterday morning because all three of Maui's Circuit Court judges recused themselves, citing frequent dealings with him as warden of Maui's jail since 1991.

Cooper set a Nov. 17 trial date.