Authorities investigate death of monk seal
LIHUE, Kauai (AP) — Authorities are investigating what they described as a suspicious death of a 15-year-old endangered monk seal on Kauai.
Hawaii officials say the seal had injuries not consistent with any natural causes of death commonly found with monk seals. A necropsy will be conducted.
The female seal was found dead Feb. 23 on a Kauai beach near Hanapepe. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokesman Jeff Walters said the seal, known as R4DP, was in good health prior to her death.
According to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, R4DP was among about 1,400 of the endangered Hawaii native species left in the wild. She was the 11th monk seal found dead under suspicious circumstances since 2009 but the first since 2014.
Man charged
with murder in road rage shooting
HONOLULU (AP) — Bail is set at $2 million for a man charged with murder in what Honolulu police describe as a road rage shooting.
Retired firefighter Darryl Freeman is charged with second-degree murder and three firearms offenses.
Witnesses at the scene of Saturday’s shooting in Aiea told police Freeman and another driver were involved in a road rage altercation.
Freeman’s defense attorney, Rustam Barbee, says he wants to track down witnesses who reported seeing the other driver assault his 72-year-old client first.
Barbee says he hasn’t been able to have a substantive discussion about the incident with Freeman, a former battalion chief for the Honolulu Fire Department.
The other driver was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
No new trial for man convicted of murder of ex
HONOLULU (AP) — A judge denied a new trial Monday for a man convicted of a murder in the Maui death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend after his lawyer alleged juror and prosecutorial misconduct.
A juror spoke after-hours via the phone with at least nine jurors, argued Jon Apo, who represents Steven Capobianco.
Second Circuit Chief Judge Joseph Cardoza said the juror in question phoned other jurors to inform them she wanted to speak with the court about her concerns regarding a note saying the jury was deadlocked.
That doesn’t justify a new trial, Cardoza ruled.
The jury found Capobianco guilty of murder and arson in December for the death of Carly “Charli” Scott.
She was five months pregnant with Capobianco’s child when she disappeared in 2014.
