honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 12, 2007

Suits settled in Tantalus case

Advertiser Staff

Jason Takamori

spacer spacer

Colleen Takamori

spacer spacer

Manh Nguyen

spacer spacer

Surviving family members of three people shot to death at Tantalus Lookout last year have settled multimillion-dollar damage claims against the mother of the accused murderer, according to state court records.

Terms of the settlements are under court seal, but legal filings show that lawyers for one survivor, Liane Takamori, last year initially sought $3.622 million but said they would recommend that she accept $2.75 million from Lynnette L.L. Mau, mother and legal guardian of Adam Mau-Goffredo, 24.

Mau-Goffredo, who has been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, is accused of murdering Takamori's parents, Jason and Colleen Takamori, the evening of July 6 as they were taking pictures in a parked car at the Tantalus Lookout.

The widow and two children of another man shot to death at the same location, taxi cab driver Manh Nguyen, also settled claims against Lynnette Mau for a undisclosed amount, according to Circuit Court records. Their attorney originally sought $4.675 million.

The amounts of the initial claims and fact that they have been settled are disclosed in a lawsuit filed against Lynnette Mau by her homeowner's insurance company, which is asking a court to determine that the company is not liable for payment of the settlements.

Legal papers filed in the probate cases of the Takamoris and Nguyen also reveal that financial settlements have been paid but do not specify amounts.

The insurance case also shows that lawyers for three other individuals have made damage claims against Lynette Mau for her son's conduct last year. They are the owners and the housekeeper of a Tantalus home who were allegedly tied up and terrorized by Mau-Goffredo after the shootings took place.

Other potential claims can be filed against Mau-Goffredo himself and a man who was employed by Lynnette Mau to act as Mau-Goffredo's caretaker.

Mau-Goffredo has pleaded not guilty to charges against him. Mental-health experts are determining if he is competent to stand trial.