LIHUE – Tarey Low, a former Kauai Police Department officer and Department of Land and Natural Resources branch chief for Kauai, was found not guilty on all charges relating to allegations of prolonged sexual abuse of a minor in his care.
LIHUE – Tarey Low, a former Kauai Police Department officer and Department of Land and Natural Resources branch chief for Kauai, was found not guilty on all charges relating to allegations of prolonged sexual abuse of a minor in his care.
The jury deliberated for about a day and a half, communicating with the court three times, asking to review the alleged victim’s testimony and stating they had a hung jury.
About mid-afternoon, a jury member recused herself from the proceedings, stating prior trauma. An alternate juror was called in to continue deliberations.
The verdict was reached by 3:45 p.m. Friday.
Low declined to comment on the matter, but in a written statement to The Garden Island newspaper, Defense Attorney Thomas Otake thanked the jury and Judge Kathleen Watanabe for the fair trial.
“Tarey Low dedicated his career to serving his island home, first at KPD and then at DLNR. These false accusations have harmed Tarey and his Ohana more than words can express. Hopefully this verdict helps restore his reputation. Tarey is an innocent man,” Otake said.
Low was originally charged with 30 counts, including sexual assault in the first degree and sexual assault three, 28 counts for sexual assault in the first degree and two counts for sexual assault in the third degree.
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Bethany Freudenthal, Courts, Crime and County reporter, 652-7891, bfreudenthal@thegardenisland.com
