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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 4:15 p.m., Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Man who died in Maui jail identified

Advertiser Staff

WAILUKU, Maui — Maui police today identified a man who died after being arrested on Christmas Day as Willard Fleming, 48, of Wailuku.

Police were called to Fleming's home on Holowai Place at the Kahekili Terrace housing complex after a 6:55 p.m. report of a domestic disturbance, according to Lt. Glenn Cuomo. Fleming apparently had been arguing with his girlfriend, and when police issued a citation for him to leave the area for a 24-hour "cooling off" period, he refused and was arrested without a struggle, Cuomo said.

While confined in the cellblock at the Wailuku police headquarters, Fleming became ill and an ambulance was summoned at 8:20 p.m, Cuomo said. Fleming was pronounced dead a short while later at Maui Memorial Medical Center.

An autopsy performed today did not reveal a conclusive cause of death, although Cuomo said Fleming did not show any signs of injury. Additional tests are being done.