LIHU‘E — It took a jury of his peers under an hour to return a not-guilty verdict in an assault case against Le Beau Lagmay. The three-day trial before 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe included a full day Monday devoted
LIHU‘E — It took a jury of his peers under an hour to return a not-guilty verdict in an assault case against Le Beau Lagmay.
The three-day trial before 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe included a full day Monday devoted to jury selection.
Witnesses, including police officers, were called to testify. Lagmay never took the stand.
Dan Hempey, Lagmay’s court-appointed attorney in the case, argued throughout that Lagmay’s involvement in an apparent altercation between other men was that of peacemaker.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Murphy argued that Lagmay assaulted another man, Richard Banasihan, who could not be located to be ordered to appear in court, records show.
The third-degree assault charge is a misdemeanor.
When the jury came back with its unanimous not-guilty verdict, Watanabe told Lagmay he was free to go.
Lagmay will soon face more serious charges, including three counts of first-degree terroristic threatening. A jury trial is set to start June 1 before 5th Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano.
Lagmay has pleaded not guilty in that case too. He is represented by Edmund Acoba, state deputy public defender.
Lagmay was reportedly Tasered three times by Kaua‘i Police officer Eric Caspillo during his arrest in late November at the Wilcox Memorial Hospital parking lot. He allegedly threatened to kill three KPD officers involved in his arrest.
Visit the state court Web site, http://hookihi2.courts.state.hi.us, for more information.
