Posted on: Thursday, June 5, 2003

Airport shooting suspect ordered held without bail

By David Waite
Advertiser Courts Writer

A Kaua'i man accused of firing a bullet into a ceiling and threatening people with a gun at Lihu'e Airport on May 8 was ordered held without bail yesterday.

But federal Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren said he might be willing to release Lloyd Albinio to a halfway house if it can be shown that Albinio is not a danger to the community and that someone will assure Albinio continues to take the medicine prescribed to him for psychiatric problems.

Albinio, 24, of Kapa'a, has been charged with assault on a federal officer using a deadly weapon, and faces a prison sentence of up to 10 years, if convicted.

Federal Public Defender Peter Wolff Jr. told Kurren that Albinio's stepfather, who is a Kaua'i police officer, and his mother were willing to serve as sponsors if Albinio were to be released from the Federal Detention Center near Honolulu Airport where he is being held.

Wolff said a Kaua'i psychiatrist who treated Albinio for four days after the airport incident concluded Albinio had experienced an "acute psychotic episode."

The federal public defender said it is not clear if the incident resulted from Albinio's prior use of methamphetamine or was the result of some other psychiatric problem.

Wolff said the Kaua'i psychiatrist who treated Albinio recommended that he be kept on "anti-psychotic" medications for six months to see if "the voices and delusions," which Albinio has reported hearing and having, cease. He could then be taken off the medicines but put back on them if the problems return, Wolff said.

But Kurren said Albinio needs to be in "a situation where someone makes sure he gets the medications he needs."

"Without more information from a medical professional, I am dead-set against releasing him out into the community," Kurren said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wes Porter opposed Albinio's release until it can be demonstrated that he is not a danger.

After the hearing, Porter said Albinio does not appear to have a history of mental illness or a significant criminal record. Albinio did tell authorities, however, about behavior problems, including the use of methamphetamine, when he lived in Las Vegas, Porter said.