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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, April 17, 2009

Man gets year in prison for punching police officer

A state judge sentenced a Kihei man to one year in prison for punching a police officer responding to an emergency call at the man's home, the Maui News reported.

Lyle Shawn Benson, 45, also was placed on five years' probation and ordered to participate in anger management classes as part of his sentence imposed Tuesday by Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza.

Kihei patrol officers went to Benson's home on Welakahao Road on June 24, 2007, after he called 911, saying he wanted his girlfriend removed from the home.

Police said that Benson was uncooperative and aggressive and smelled of alcohol. When officer Michael Hale walked toward Benson outside the home with his Taser stun gun drawn, Benson lunged at Hale and punched him, officers said. Benson ended up on the ground, with two officers holding their Tasers to his back.