Agent’s lawyers present case ADVERTISING Agent’s lawyers present case HONOLULU (AP) — The defense has started presenting its case in the retrial of a federal agent charged with murder in a shooting at a Waikiki fast-food restaurant. The state rested
Agent’s lawyers present case
HONOLULU (AP) — The defense has started presenting its case in the retrial of a federal agent charged with murder in a shooting at a Waikiki fast-food restaurant.
The state rested its case Wednesday and the defense began calling witnesses to testify.
State Department Special Agent Christopher Deedy is on trial again for the 2011 shooting death of Kollin Elderts during an altercation in a McDonald’s. The first trial ended with a deadlocked jury last year.
Defense attorney Thomas Otake says Deedy is expected to testify next week.
Ex-officer guilty in extortion
HONOLULU (AP) — A former Honolulu police officer has pleaded guilty to trying to extort $15,000 from the owners of a local hostess bar.
Roddy Tsunezumi pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats and violence.
The 38-year-old admitted attempting to extort the money from the business owners between June and October 2013 in exchange for protection from a kidnapping and robbery plot.
Tsunezumi said the owners approached him about a threat and he told them they could hire Jeremy Javillo, who was expected to plead guilty Thursday.
Tsunezumi resigned from the police force in April. His plea was part of a plea agreement, which dismissed a vehicle fraud charge.
He is scheduled for sentencing Nov 5.
Early voting for primary begins
HONOLULU (AP) — Voters are beginning to cast their votes in Hawaii’s primary election.
The city clerk’s office in Honolulu says that 98,000 absentee ballots have been mailed. As of Wednesday afternoon, 11,000 ballots were returned.
Walk-in voting at polling stations begins Monday. Elections Administrator Glen Takahashi says any registered voter can cast their votes over the next two weeks at the two early polling stations in Honolulu and Kapolei. Early voters also can cast ballots at stations on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.
Polls are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
