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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, June 14, 2008

HAWAII BRIEFS
More prison time for deputy's killer

Advertiser Staff

A state judge yesterday added 15 years to the prison sentence of convicted killer John "Patrick" Koa Lorenzo Jr. for two unrelated drug convictions.

Lorenzo, 36, was previously sentenced to a minimum of 30 years for the February 2007 shooting death of sheriff's deputy Daniel Browne-Sanchez, who was working off-duty at Osake Sushi Bar and Lounge.

Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto yesterday sentenced Lorenzo to 10 years imprisonment for second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and five years for unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

Sakamoto ordered that the terms be served consecutively, meaning Lorenzo will serve at least 45 years before he can be considered for parole.

Sentencing in the drug case was delayed four times in 2006 and again in 2007 after Sakamoto granted Lorenzo time to complete drug treatment.



BODY OF MAN, 46, FOUND IN KAPA'A

The body of a 46-year-old Kapa'a man was found at the water's edge yesterday morning near Otsuka's Furniture and Appliances in Kapa'a on Kaua'i.

Someone walking in the area about 7:30 a.m. discovered the body and called police.

Police said they have identified the victim, but were not releasing his name until his relatives have been notified.

Police said there were no signs of foul play. An autopsy was scheduled.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Detective Todd Tanaka at 808-241-1694 or police dispatch at 808-241-1711.



POLICE ASK HELP IN IDENTIFYING THIEF

CrimeStoppers and Honolulu police are seeking the public's help in identifying a man who has been using a stolen ATM card in Kane'ohe.

Police said a Kane'ohe home was burglarized four times between Dec. 31 and April 15, and that the resident's ATM card was stolen each time.

A man using the stolen card was photographed on an ATM's security camera on several occasions.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, or *CRIME on a cell phone. Free calls are provided by AT&T, Nextel Hawaii, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless Hawaii.



WAIMEA MAN DIES IN ONE-CAR CRASH

A 41-year-old Waimea man died yesterday after a one-vehicle crash on Route 190 in North Kona, Hawai'i County police said.

The victim was identified as Chenault D. Bethea.

Kona patrol officers responding to a 12:16 a.m. call between the 18- and 19-mile markers in the Pu'uanahulu area determined that Bethea was in a 1999 Lexus SUV traveling north on Route 190, when the vehicle ran off the road and overturned.

Bethea was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle, police said. He was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital.

Police said they believe that speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.

An autopsy has been ordered.

It was the 12th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 16 at this time last year.



GOVERNOR SIGNS CHARITIES BILL

Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday signed a bill to establish a registration system for charities that solicits money from Hawai'i residents, a move that will make key information about the soliciting organization's operations available to the public.

The registration requirement takes effect Jan. 1 and will close a major regulatory gap in an industry that takes in millions of dollars from local donors each year.

Hawai'i had been one of only 11 states that did not require charities to register.

The bill, SB 3171, was passed by the Legislature this year in response to an Advertiser series that showed Hawai'i had one of the weakest charity oversight systems in the country.

Among other things, the new law requires most charities to file annual financial reports with the state.



CHILD PULLED FROM WAIPAHU CANAL

A small child was taken to a hospital yesterday after being pulled from a canal in Waipahu, rescue and emergency medical personnel said.

The child, who was 3 to 5 years old, was pulled from a canal near Pupuole and Pupupuhi streets shortly after 2:30 p.m., emergency personnel said.

The child, who was listed in serious condition, was taken to Hawaii Medical Center West and then to Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children.



MAN WHO RAN INTO PATH OF CAR DIES

An 80-year-old pedestrian injured Jan. 14 in Kalihi died yesterday at The Queen's Medical Center, police said.

It was O'ahu's 21st traffic fatality of the year and the fourth in an eight-day period. Three of the last four deaths have involved pedestrians, who account for one-third of the island's 2008 fatalities.

The medical examiner's office did not release the name of the victim.

The accident happened at North School Street near Ahonui Street at 6:25 a.m. Investigators said the man was running to catch a bus and apparently ran into the path of an oncoming 1993 Honda sedan driven by a 41-year-old man.

The car was traveling east in the left lane on North School Street when it struck the man trying to catch a bus traveling in the west-bound lanes.

There is a crosswalk but no traffic light at the location, and the initial investigation indicated the pedestrian was in the crosswalk.

As of yesterday, 51 people have died in traffic accidents this year in Hawai'i, compared to 66 at this time in 2007.



HOSPITAL OFFERS FREE SCREENING

The Honolulu Shriners Hospitals for Children will conduct a free screening clinic in the Leeward district to identify children who can benefit from the expert orthopedic care provided at the hospital.

The free screening will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 21, at the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, 86-260 Farrington Highway.

Any child under 18 years of age who might have orthopedic or post-burn problems may be brought to the free clinic for an evaluation to determine if he or she might be eligible for treatment at no charge.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 951-3620.