honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 5:52 p.m., Friday, September 12, 2008

Defendants' bail returned in Iolani Palace takeover case

Advertiser Staff

Fifteen suspects arrested on criminal trespass charges after a takeover of 'Iolani Palace last month had their bail returned to them this morning while the prosecutor's office reviews evidence against them.

All the suspects posted $50 bail following their arrests at the palace on Aug. 15, Statehood Day.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Renee Sonobe Hong said today that bail was returned to all the defendants.

"The investigation is ongoing," said Sonobe Hong.

"We are conducting a complete and thorough review of all the evidence gathered," she said.

The criminal trespass charges are petty misdemeanors.

More serious charges are still pending against other involved in the incident, including Donald Love-Boltz, 73, accused of second-degree assault of a female palace staff member.

Love-Boltz, a Maui resident, has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge and is scheduled to go to trial in that case in November.

Members of the group, called Hawai'i Kingdom, broke into the palace and the adjacent 'Iolani Barracks building, locked gates and raised their flag atop the barracks building.