Posted on: Friday, March 4, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Man pleads guilty in death of boy, 2
Advertiser Staff
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — David Arruda, 25, pleaded guilty to manslaughter yesterday in the death of his girlfriend's 2-year-old son. He faces a mandatory 20-year prison term when he is sentenced May 3 in 5th Circuit Court.
Arruda admitted roughhousing with Kaimana Larry Dias-Duque on Oct. 30, and said he was responsible for failing to get medical attention after the boy was injured. Deputy prosecutor Richard Minatoya said Arruda was home alone with the child and was serving as his primary caregiver at the time.
Minatoya said Arruda tossed the child into the air twice and dropped him, and then swung him around by his legs, causing him to hit his head on a coffee table. Arruda did not get medical help and did not tell the child's mother about the incident when she came home.
Dias-Duque had difficulty breathing several hours after suffering the head injury, at which time he was taken to a doctor. He died two days later at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children in Hoolulu.
Defense attorney Mark Zenger confirmed that Arruda became a father while in jail. The dead child's mother, Jessica Dias, gave birth to Arruda's baby late last month.
Police seeking woman's identity
Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a woman who was found unconscious at a bus stop near Ala Moana Beach Park Feb. 16.
The woman was found about 10:30 a.m. and may have been homeless and living in the park or surrounding areas, police said. She was taken to a hospital, but police have been unable to identify her.
She is possibly of Hawaiian ancestry, 50 to 60 years old, 5 feet 2, 140 pounds, with gray and white neck-length hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about this woman is asked to call police Investigator James Vasconcellos at 529-3064 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
A 62-year-old man pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal charge of possession of child pornography he obtained through the Internet.
James C. Richardson, a copy editor at The Advertiser, admitted that he purchased the pornography from 2001 to 2003 and stored more than 600 child pornography images on his home computer equipment.
Richardson was permitted to remain free on a $25,000 unsecured bond. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 5 before U.S. District Judge David Ezra.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. But as part of a plea agreement, federal prosecutors plan to credit him for the guilty plea that avoids a trial.
Police yesterday arrested a 19-year-old Makiki man after a woman said she was dragged by her car after it was stolen from her 'Ewa home in January.
The woman said she saw a man stealing her car Jan. 4 and she ran to the car and pounded on its back window. But the man drove off and the woman told police her arm became lodged under the car's spoiler.
The man continued to drive and made several sharp turns, throwing the woman to the ground. A police investigation led to the man and he was arrested yesterday on one count of first-degree robbery.
A 24-year-old man was arrested yesterday in connection with the Feb. 20 robbery of a Kapi'olani Boulevard pizza restaurant.
The man, who listed no local address, was arrested after he was identified by an employee at the Papa John's pizza shop, police said. He was booked on one count of second-degree robbery.
Police believe the man walked into the restaurant at 1646 Kapi'olani Blvd., with his tank top covering the lower portion of his face.
The Kamehameha Schools will hold Ho'olaule'a 2005 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at its 'Alewa Heights campus.
The theme is E Puka Aku Me Kau Mau Makana or Emerge With Your Gifts, and the free event will include crafts, food and entertainment.
Performers include 'Ale'a, Kawai Cockett, Ho'onu'a, the Kamehameha Schools marching band, concert glee club, Hawaiian ensemble and the elementary school's jazz band and children's chorus.
For more information, call 842-8659 or visit www.ksbe.edu. Ailing passenger airlifted off ship The Coast Guard yesterday airlifted an ailing 63-year-old man from the cruise ship Norwegian Wind and flew the man to Honolulu for treatment.
The master of the Norwegian Wind called the Coast Guard at about 4:45 a.m. to request medical assistance for a passenger. An HH-65 helicopter from Barbers Point was sent to the ship, which was about 50 miles south of O'ahu.
The man was hoisted aboard the helicopter and flown to O'ahu, where he was taken to St. Francis Medical Center for further treatment, the Coast Guard said. His condition was not available yesterday.
HONOLULU
Man pleads guilty over child porn
Makiki man held in 'Ewa car theft
Suspect arrested in robbery case
Ho'olaule'a 2005 set for tomorrow
'EWA
