Byran Uyesugi,tortured Martyr who massacred 7 co-workers in HI Xerox factory rampage last Nov.,gets Life prison sentence,no parole chance,continues to maintain his DIGNITY & self-respect,refusing to prostitute himself to the evil society that created him
Joe1orbit
One of the most interesting and prolifically successful amerikkkan mass
killers of 1999, has to have been Byran Uyesugi. An employee of Xerox
corporation in Hawaii, Byran marched into the warehouse/factory that he worked
out of, armed with a Glock 9MM handgun and shot SEVEN fellow xo-workers, all
men. Remarkably, ALL seven that he shot, suffered FATAL wounds. This is
extremely rare as far as non-familial mass gun shootings go, you almosy never
see this type of a "perfect" score, especially not when to TOTAL number of shot
victims is this HIGH. It's obvious that Byran was a nd is a SKILLED marksman,
and DETERMINED to KILL his chosen targets. In fact, we know that Byran LOVED to
shoot guns, and was an active shooter since his high school years.
We get the tragic but totally expected news below, that Byran was sentenced
yesterday to Life in prison, with no parole chance. I guess it's a lucky break
that HI is one of the few states that does not practice legal murder, but the
OUTRAGE of society taking a tortured victim-creation and condemning him to a
lifetime of PUNITIVE and UNDESERVED punishment, is EXTREME enough to make any
SANE thinker shake their head in amazement.
We also learn that the FASCIST judge ordered Byran to GIVE AWAY $70,000 in
cash, as "restitution" to the families of victims. Why $70,000?? I bet it's
because the judge had gotten ahold of PRIVATE FINANCIAL documentation that
indicated Byran has a "net worth" of around $70,000. In essence, this CRIMINAL
court judge decided to issue a "civil" court judgement against Byran, ROBBING
him of his legally earned and owned assets, at a time when Byran NEEDS all his
money more than ever, to literally try and SAVE himself from a lifetime of
injustice, or else to try and make his DAILY experience of prison TORTURE, a
bit more bearable via the purchase of whatever few "treats" you evil hypocrites
allow your tortured Martyrs who are locked up in cages, to obtain.
We can only hope that Byran copes well with prison life, recognizes that his
MIND is his primary weapon and he CAN make his mind untouchable, and that he
develops a LOYAL and sincere circle of pen-pal correspondents & other friends,
who are morally Superior enough to make the lifetime of torture Byran has been
insanely condemned to, as bearable as possible, via gifts, expressions of
caring and love, etc...
I'm glad to hear that byran is NOT accepting this outrage lying down, and
WILL appeal. His lawyer tells us: "Byran's always felt he was morally
justified." That's because you WERE morally justified, Byran, to seek and claim
the personal vengeance that you did. I am so PROUD of Byran for RECOGNIZING his
moral justification, for realizing that his society is THOUSANDS of times
morally inferior to him, and let us hope that Byran is NEVER "broken", that he
ALWAYS continues to embrace this APPROPRIATE attitude of self-love, recognizing
himself as the REAL victim, and recognizing that he had a SACRED personal
entitlement to seek vengeance in whatever manner his True Reality dictated, and
that entitlement is both UNDENIABLE and has no "expiration date". Byran's life
path will be JUST as valid 40 years from today, as it was last year and as it
is today. The CHALLENGE that Byran faces, is to NEVER lose sight of this
Profound Truth, to never let the systematic MALICE and BRUTALIZATION of
society, break him, in the coming decades. That takes real mental STRENGTH, I
know I have such strength, and HOPE that Byran does too. Meanwhile, I thank
Bryan for being so courageously honest with EVERYONE, and even more, TRUE to
HIMSELF, NEVER pandering or prostituting himself to his enemy, never claiming
to feel remorse or regret, never LYING to himself OR to others. bUt of course
in your EVIL and lie-based society, honest truth-tellers are condemned &
demonized.
You can view a nice facial photo of Byran, as he looked in court YESTERDAY,
over at:
http://starbulletin.com/2000/08/08/news/story1.html
I like his facial expression, of "bored dis-interest" but also wary
watchfulness. Yup, Byran knows the score, he knows how EVIL his society is, and
how STAGED and INVALID the perverse notion of "justice", as practiced by the
most UNJUST society on planet earth, truly is.
Wonderful ARCHIVES of photos & articles on this fascinating mass murder and
on the unique life path of Byran, can be accessed via these two URL's:
http://starbulletin.com/1999/11/02/news/story1.html
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/specials/thexeroxtrial.html
Byran IS the most prolific line gunman mass harvestor in the HISTORY of
Hawaii, and it's nice to see that the LOCAL media HAS indeed made him famous in
HI, although the almost total LACK of national media coverage is an OUTRAGE of
the highest order. I would bet that 35% of all ADULTS in HI are generally
familiar with the name "Byran Uyesugi" and know the BASIC details of what he
has accomplished in life. BUT, at the same time, less than 1% of all adult
amerikkkans OUTSIDE of HI, would be able to place the name and know that Byran
was and is a mass harvestor of humans. This is SOLELY due to the HUGE
discrepency in the AMOUNT of media coverage that has been provided, on a local
versus national level.
Stay Strong, Byran!
Take care, JOE
The following appears courtesy of yesterday's Associated Press news wire:
Xerox Gunman Gets Life, No Parole
By BEN DiPIETRO
HONOLULU (AP) - A Xerox employee who gunned down seven co-workers was sentenced
Tuesday to life in prison without parole.
Byran Uyesugi was convicted in June of fatally shooting the seven men and
trying to kill an eighth, an attack Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter
described as ``the execution of seven unarmed, good hard-working men.''
Uyesugi was also sentenced to life with parole by Circuit Judge Marie Milks for
the attempted murder of the eighth man. The judge also ordered Uyesugi to pay
$70,000 restitution to the victims' families.
His left hand rubbing his chin, Uyesugi appeared not to pay attention as
victims' family members spoke of their pain and suffering since the November
slayings.
``I hate you for what you have done,'' Susan Sakamoto said between sobs as she
spoke of her husband, John. ``You have stolen our lives away and you can never
suffer enough for what you have done.''
Lorna Kanehiro's husband, Ford, was also killed.
``Byran Uyesugi took away my life,'' she said. ``My heart would leap whenever I
saw him. He was my life. It's been nine months and I still don't know how to
pick up the pieces.''
Uyesugi declined to speak in court.
Hawaii has no death penalty, and defense attorney Jerel Fonseca said he's not
sure whether that would have been a deterrent. Uyesugi believes he was
justified in killing the men because he felt they were sabotaging his work and
trying to have him fired, the attorney said.
``He's always felt he was morally justified,'' Fonseca said.
Attorneys for Uyesugi said he plans to appeal.
AP-NY-08-08-00
------------------------------------------------------
The following appears courtesy of the 8/8/00 online edition of The Honolulu
Star-Bulletin newspaper:
Tuesday, August 8, 2000
No parole for Byran Uyesugi,
judge says
By Debra Barayuga and Suzanne Tswei
Star-Bulletin
Five months after he shot them in cold blood, Byran Uyesugi mocked his seven
coworkers for messing with him, calling them names and saying they deserved to
die.
But today, the families of those who were killed in Hawaii's worst multiple
murder, prosecutors and the court had the last word.
Judge Marie Milks today sentenced convicted murderer Byran Uyesugi to a
mandatory life term without parole -- Hawaii's harshest sentence -- for the
Nov. 2, 1999, shooting deaths of seven of his Xerox coworkers.
Killed were Ron Kataoka, Ford Kanehira, Melvin Lee, John Sakamoto, Ron Kawamae,
Peter Mark and Jason Balatico.
Although the sentencing was predictable, it was the final opportunity for
family members of the victims to attempt to tell the court how Uyesugi's
indifference to human life cost them husbands, fathers and brothers, destroyed
their futures and deprived their young children of a Dad. They asked that the
court make sure that Uyesugi is never set free.
Reid Kawamae, son of Ron Kawamae, said Uyesugi made the wrong choice when he
opened fire on seven defenseless men and should suffer in jail.
He said he hoped the delusions and "black shadows" that tormented Uyesugi
accompany him in jail and "talk to him every day, at night before he falls
asleep, and wake him up so he cannot sleep like I no sleep."
Since the day of the shooting, Kawamae said he has been unable to return to
work or cry for his father because of the rage that consumes him over Uyesugi's
unspeakable act. "How can you not cry at your father's funeral 'cause you got
so much rage in you?"
As Kawamae stormed from the courtroom, his parting words to Uyesugi were, "I
kick your ass one day."
John Sakamoto's widow, Susan, gave a tearful statement, calling Uyesugi "cold
blooded" and an "unfeeling animal" who deprived her and her children of a happy
life. "Byran Uyesugi, I hate you for what you have done to my husband and to
all the other innocent victims," she said.
The cruel death of her husband has made her "feel like someone has ripped out
your heart and soul," she said, adding, "May you never have a day of peace."
She said Uyesugi can never suffer enough for the pain he caused.
Ford Kanehira's widow, Lorna, said friends had described them as the perfect
couple and he was a loving husband and father.
"It was always Ford and Lorna; I don't know how to be Lorna without Ford...I
know in my lifetime, no one will ever love me the way he did," Kanehira said.
Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter, one of two deputies who assisted Prosecutor
Peter Carlisle in prosecuting the case, said although Uyesugi feels as though
he has won, "He didn't win. Byran Uyesugi, you lose."
Despite her pain, Lynn Kataoka's message to the man who took her "Ronnie" and
seven "truly beautiful souls" away was less harsh. She said she hopes one day
Uyesugi will understand the enormity of what he has done and the lives he has
destroyed.
"I'm sorry Byran was never able to have loved so he would know how much hurt
he's caused."
Who can say whether justice will be served in this case, she said. "Only God
can give punishment he deserves. That is my only comfort."
Just as Uyesugi showed no reaction when the jury rejected the insanity defense
and returned a guilty-as-charged verdict on June 13 after deliberating less
than 90 minutes, he showed no reaction today to the sentence, nor to family
members who spoke about how their lives had been impacted.
As part of his sentence, the court also ordered him to make restitution of
$70,000, the same amount the Crime Victim's Compensation Commission gave to the
victim's families, and what Milks called a "paltry" sum of $500 to the Balatico
family for psychological treatment and medication.
Uyesugi submitted a two-page statement to the court, which was not read, and he
declined to make a statement today. But one of his attorneys, Jerel Fonseca,
said his apparent lack of remorse is because he doesn't comprehend the
magnitude of what he has done because of his mental illness.
"He feels justified in some delusional way of his actions."
Uyesugi's aunt and uncle, who faithfully attended the trial daily and were
present today, left the courtroom without making any statements.
Mental health experts who testified at trial did not dispute that Uyesugi
suffered from a delusional disorder but disagreed on whether he knew at the
time that what he was doing was wrong.
During the nearly three-week trial, the defense had sought an acquittal by
reason of insanity, arguing that Uyesugi suffered from delusions that his
coworkers were conspiring against him to make him look bad.
The state had argued that although he suffered from a mental disorder, he knew
right from wrong when he gunned down his seven coworkers and attempted to shoot
another, who narrowly escaped.
After sentencing, Uyesugi was taken directly to Halawa Community Correctional
Center. Barring a pardon from the governor after he serves 20 years, Uyesugi
will likely die in prison, observers say.
Fonseca said it's unlikely that the governor would grant a pardon because of
the nature of the crime.
Uyesugi has indicated that he will appeal, Fonseca said.
So far, Uyesugi has not been threatened in prison and has expressed a desire to
be released from protective custody, he said.
---------------------------------------
The following appears courtesy of the 8/8/00 online edition of The Honolulu
Advertiser newspaper:
Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000
Uyesugi sentenced to life
By Tanya Bricking
Advertiser Staff Writer
Circuit Court Judge Marie Milks sentenced Byran Uyesugi to life in prison
without parole this morning and ordered him to pay restitution to the
victims’ families, including paying installments to make up for the $70,000
account paid to victims’ families.
On sentencing day for Uyesugi, the Xerox repairman convicted of murdering seven
co-workers, families came back to court to speak of their lingering rage.
Widows told of wedding anniversaries gone uncelebrated, of children left
without a parent and of being cheated out of memories yet to come.
For nearly an hour, families told tear-jerking stories about the emptiness left
in their lives, and Uyesugi reacted with the same emotionless expression he
wore throughout his trial.
“Byran, I hate you for what you have done to my husband and all the other
innocent victims,” said Susan Sakamoto, whose husband, John, was among those
killed. “I hate you for what you have done to my children, my family and all
the other families who have to go on without their loved ones.
“May you never have a day of peace for the horrible and senseless crimes you
have committed. You have stolen our lives away and all that was to be. You can
never suffer enough for what you have done.”
Defense Attorney Jerel Fonseca said Uyesugi plans to appeal. He said Uyesugi
still suffers from delusions and sometimes sees the “black shadow” he
claimed haunted him for years before the Nov. 2 shootings.
Some family members, such as Ed Sakamoto, brother of John, said Uyesugi’s
demeanor bothered them.
“I sat through much of the trial, and it disturbs me that Byran Uyesugi has
shown absolutely no remorse for his evil crimes,” Ed Sakamoto said in court.
“Byran, quit blaming the victims who have done absolutely nothing to provoke
your anger. Also, stop using your mental illness as a crutch for your problems,
and take responsibility for your own actions.”
But Uyesugi’s only words to the court were in a hand-written, two-page
statement that was sealed and not read publicly.
His father, Hiroyuki Uyesugi, however, issued a public statement to the
families of the shooting victims. In it, the elder Uyesugi apologized again for
his son's actions.
"I know my apologies are inadequate. Although Byran will spend the rest of his
life in prison, nothing will bring back your loved ones. I hope one day you can
accept my apologies for what has happened to you, your children and loved
ones," he said.
Uyesugi himself has remained apparently unremorseful. But Fonseca said his
client's attitude was misunderstood.
“What we need to remember is that in order for a person to show remorse,
there needs to be some recognition of the magnitude of the crime,” he told
the court. “In this case, I think Mr. Uyesugi does not appreciate the
magnitude because of his mental illness, because of mental condition. He feels
justified, in some delusional way, of his actions. This is not to say that he
is not responsible. In this case, there are victims on both sides.”
Fonseca urged the public to temper a need for vengeance with compassion.
“Mr. Uyesugi, to some extent, is a victim of his own mental disease,” he
said.
Lynn Kataoka, widow of Ron Kataoka, said she was sorry Uyesugi never
experienced the kind of love that would have taught him what he destroyed.
“My life has been forever changed,” she said. “Only God can give Byran
Uyesugi the punishment he deserves.”
*************************************
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Georgina
The restitution Byran's been ordered to pay is for an amount equal to
the monies the Crime Victims Compensation Fund provided to victim's
families. I'm not sure if it was divided evenly among the families of
just the seven who were slain, or if Steve Matsuda received a portion as
well. He was the one intended victim who managed to get away, physically
unharmed. In open court the judge said that according to financial
disclosures, Byran has $30,000. And now he'll have to work out some sort
of monthly payment schedule.
The private written statement that Byran submitted to the judge, in lieu
of making a verbal statement at the hearing, is said to be two
hand-written pages long. I've heard comments that it was a disjointed
message and again, lacking any remorse. My question is: will this
private written statement that was given to the judge always remain
private or will it be unsealed and disclosed in twenty years time, when
the Parole Authority applies to the Governor? Do you know how that
works?
In your commentary, you said that probably 35% of the people in Hawaii
are familiar with Byran's name and the basic details. I'd say the
percentage is actually much higher than that. Probably closer to 75%.
The television, radio and print news media in the islands has been
following every detail of this case since the story broke. They
interrupted regularly scheduled programming to provide live tv coverage
at the Xerox scene, following discovery of the massacre. When they found
Byran parked in his van after the shooting, television crews immediately
arrived to cover the breaking news and update the public, as there were
two separate groups of school children having field trips at the Nature
Preserve where he eventually surrendered. When the trial began and again
yesterday, for the sentencing hearing, all three major networks carried
it live ~ much to the dismay of those who were more interested in
watching their favorite daytime soaps.
It saddens me to think that Byran may be moved to a prison in the
mainland, far away from his family and friends, based on the notoriety
he has achieved due to all of this media exposure. Yet they have already
mentioned the possibility, citing that it would be safer for him to be
housed somewhere where other inmates don't know who he is. Our state
doesn't like to house it's long-term prisoners, noting lack of available
space. The only ones they seem to keep here are those who misbehave and
cause trouble in prison, who would be too risky to send elsewhere. Byran
has been a model prisoner, up to this point.
I've pasted in, below, the most recent news updates.
Aloha,
Georgina
Fox Channel 2
August 8, 2000 10 p.m. News
http://www.khon.com/news/2000_h_h_4.asp
There are two ways Byran Uyesugi's sentence of "Life Without Parole"
could change. One is an appeal. The other is an automatic review that
Uyesugi and every other person sentenced to life without parole in
Hawaii is entitled to.
Most criminals hear their sentence twice. What the judge decrees, then
what the Hawaii Paroling Authority decides. When the punishment is life
without parole, there is no MINIMUM term for the Paroling Authority to
set. But there is an automatic procedure that could affect the MAXIMUM.
Chris Van Marter/Deputy Prosecutor: "In 20 years, the Paroling Authority
and the Department of Public Safety are required to submit an
application to the governor on Mr. Uyesugi's behalf asking that the
sentence of life without parole be commuted to life with parole. So at
that time the governor will have the opportunity to review the sentence
and make a decision whether or not to commute the sentence to life with
parole."
Tina: "The record reviewed 20 years from now will include every word
spoken inside the courtroom, all the anguish and all the anger expressed
inside."
Susan Sakamoto: "You let them die in pain and alone. The spineless
coward you are!"
Commutations are RARE but not unheard of. In 1994, Governor Waihee
commuted the terms of two men convicted of murdering a fellow inmate.
They were freed after serving only 15 years of their sentence of "life
without parole". While it is difficult to imagine ANY governor freeing
Byran Uyesugi, the Xerox killer is going to APPEAL his conviction.
Jerel Fonseca/Uyesugi Attorney: "He has decided to appeal." Though
Fonseca's firm may not handle the appeal, he says it likely will center
on whether Uyesugi should have been charged with both first- and
second-degree murder for the deaths of the same 7 victims. Uyesugi has
30 days to file the appeal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Uyesugi gets life term without parole
Posted on: Wednesday, August 9, 2000
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/localnews1.html
Families left without fathers stood beside Hawai‘i’s worst mass murderer
yesterday, telling a judge the reasons why Byran Uyesugi should never
get out of prison. Widows spoke of unfinished lives, of wedding
anniversaries gone uncelebrated and of children being cheated out of
memories of what would have been. They wept once more for the seven men
shot to death last year at Xerox Hawai‘i. They recounted fleeting
moments in the lives of Jason Balatico, Ford Kanehira, Ron Kataoka,
Ronald Kawamae, Melvin Lee, Peter Mark and John Sakamoto. And those left
behind vented lingering rage for the killer who never said he was sorry.
After an hour of tearful testimony, Circuit Judge Marie Milks sentenced
Uyesugi, a 40-year-old former copy machine repairman, to life in prison
without parole. It is Hawai‘i’s harshest sentence, mandatory for
first-degree murder. While Hawai‘i law says the governor can commute the
sentence to life with parole after a defendant serves 20 years, this
hearing gave families the chance to tell the court why ending lives
should cost Uyesugi his freedom.
Uyesugi, dressed in an aloha shirt for the last time before he trades it
for prison garb, sported a cropped haircut but wore the same blank
expression he did throughout his trial.
Under state statute, the court sealed all letters and reports compiled
in the pre-sentencing investigation, as well as statements from the
victims’ families. Uyesugi’s only words were in a hand-written, two-page
statement to the court that was sealed and not read publicly. He rested
his chin on his hand and at times appeared preoccupied with paperwork as
victims’ families lashed out at him.
"Byran, I hate you for what you have done to my husband and all the
other innocent victims," said Susan Sakamoto, who is raising two young
children without her husband, John. "I hate you for what you have done
to my children, my family and all the other families who have to go on
without their loved ones.
"May you never have a day of peace for the horrible and senseless crimes
you have committed. You have stolen our lives away and all that was to
be. You can never suffer enough for what you have done."
Milks ordered Uyesugi to pay $70,000 in restitution, the amount given to
families from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund, as well as $500 to
the Balatico family for psychological treatment and prescription
medicine.
Defense attorney Jerel Fonseca said Uyesugi, who used an insanity
defense in his May trial, plans to appeal. He said Uyesugi is not taking
medication and still suffers from delusions and sometimes sees a "black
shadow" he said haunted him for years before the Nov. 2 shootings.
Reid Kawamae, whose father, Ron, was among those killed, cursed at
Uyesugi in court yesterday and said he hopes the black shadow stays
Uyesugi forever. "I hope he suffers in jail," Reid Kawamae said. "I’m
glad that Hawai‘i doesn’t have the death penalty because I think
suffering in jail would be much harder for him. I hope he takes his
delusions with him to jail. I hope he takes that black shadow with him.
I hope that black shadow talks to him every night when he’s sleeping.
When he’s just about ready to fall asleep, that black shadow wake him up
so he cannot sleep, like I cannot sleep."
Before leaving the courtroom with a slam of the door, Reid Kawamae built
up to one last, angry statement: "You know what my dad would tell you?"
he yelled at Uyesugi. "F--- you, you motherf----r, I kick your ass one
day."
Uyesugi’s father, Hiroyuki, issued a brief statement following the
sentencing, apologizing to the victims’ families. But it is Uyesugi’s
silence that still bothers some of them.
"I sat through much of the trial, and it disturbs me that Byran Uyesugi
has shown absolutely no remorse for his evil crimes," said Ed Sakamoto,
John Sakamoto’s older brother. "Byran, quit blaming the victims who have
done absolutely nothing to provoke your anger. Also, stop using your
mental illness as a crutch for your problems, and take responsibility
for your own actions."
Fonseca said Uyesugi’s apparent lack of remorse is misunderstood. "What
we need to remember is that in order for a person to show remorse, there
needs to be some recognition of the magnitude of the crime," Fonseca
said. "In this case, I think Mr. Uyesugi does not appreciate the
magnitude, because of his mental illness, because of mental condition.
He feels justified, in some delusional way, of his actions. This is not
to say that he is not responsible. In this case, there are victims on
both sides." Fonseca urged the public to temper a need for vengeance
with compassion. "Mr. Uyesugi, to some extent, is a victim of his own
mental disease," he said.
Lynn Kataoka, widow of Ron Kataoka, said she was sorry Uyesugi never
experienced the kind of love that would have made him understand what he
destroyed. She explained with a story. Shortly after her husband was
killed, their 12-year-old daughter was working on a school assignment
about hopes and dreams. She asked her daughter what she wished for.
After hesitating a few seconds, in a way so like her dad, she responded
she wished Uyesugi was never born.
"My life has been forever changed," Lynn Kataoka said. "Only God can
give Byran the punishment that he deserves. That is my only comfort."
Joe1orbit
>Hi Joe,
>
>The restitution Byran's been ordered to pay is for an amount equal to
>the monies the Crime Victims Compensation Fund provided to victim's
>families. I'm not sure if it was divided evenly among the families of
>just the seven who were slain, or if Steve Matsuda received a portion as
>well. He was the one intended victim who managed to get away, physically
>unharmed. In open court the judge said that according to financial
>disclosures, Byran has $30,000. And now he'll have to work out some sort
>of monthly payment schedule.
Hello Georgina,
Really appreciate your detailed facts and information. The notion that
society has ANY legal entitlement to ROB one of it's tortured victims of his
legally earned assets, JUST at the time when he NEEDS his money, his legally
earned money, more than ever, is ABSOLUTELY outrageous.
>The private written statement that Byran submitted to the judge, in lieu
>of making a verbal statement at the hearing, is said to be two
>hand-written pages long. I've heard comments that it was a disjointed
>message and again, lacking any remorse. My question is: will this
>private written statement that was given to the judge always remain
>private or will it be unsealed and disclosed in twenty years time, when
>the Parole Authority applies to the Governor? Do you know how that
>works?
I do NOT know. But you can BET that if any POSSIBILITY of an actual "parole
hearing" occurs, societal leaders WILL find a way to make this letter available
to the parole board, as part of the demonization process.
>In your commentary, you said that probably 35% of the people in Hawaii
>are familiar with Byran's name and the basic details. I'd say the
>percentage is actually much higher than that. Probably closer to 75%.
>The television, radio and print news media in the islands has been
>following every detail of this case since the story broke. They
>interrupted regularly scheduled programming to provide live tv coverage
>at the Xerox scene, following discovery of the massacre. When they found
>Byran parked in his van after the shooting, television crews immediately
>arrived to cover the breaking news and update the public, as there were
>two separate groups of school children having field trips at the Nature
>Preserve where he eventually surrendered. When the trial began and again
>yesterday, for the sentencing hearing, all three major networks carried
>it live ~ much to the dismay of those who were more interested in
>watching their favorite daytime soaps.
That is WONDERFUL news, on all counts. At least Byran can KNOW that he has
made a real MARK on his society, and achieved a genuine level of FAME.
>It saddens me to think that Byran may be moved to a prison in the
>mainland, far away from his family and friends, based on the notoriety
>he has achieved due to all of this >media exposure.
That is both sad and outrageous. The COMFORT and the stated desires of all
societal torture victims, should always play the PRIME role in terms of how
they are treated, where they are placed etc... Of course that assumes a SANE
society is in place, which is NOT the case.
>Yet they have already
>mentioned the possibility, citing that it would be safer for him to be
>housed somewhere where other inmates don't know who he is. Our state
>doesn't like to house it's long-term prisoners, noting lack of available
>space. The only ones they seem to keep here are those who misbehave and
>cause trouble in prison, who would be too risky to send elsewhere. Byran
>has been a model prisoner, up to >this point.
Byran KNOWS that he has already achieved the seminal goal of his life.
Vengeance has been claimed. now, his focus shifts, as it SHOULD, to protecting
and preserving his life and health, enjoying life as best he can, while
relishing his life accomplishments. That's how life is, you have STAGES in your
life, you accomplish certain seminal goals, and that naturally leads to
transitions, your entire mental outlook SHIFTS.
>I've pasted in, below, the most recent news updates.
I and all other TRUE true crime afficianados, really appreciate these great
updates!
Take care, JOE
Georgina
To follow-up, here's an interesting collection of articles. The first
provides an update on Byran Uyesugi's case and gives us some idea of
what conditions are like in the facility where he is currently being
housed. Note how blatantly the lawyer dismisses the idea of Byran
receiving proper medical treatment for his mental health needs! ...
Then, there's an outline of the types of crimes that result in a
life-without-parole prison sentence. And lastly, a brief run-down of
some of the other inmates who are currently serving life sentences in
the Aloha State and the crimes that they committed.
Star-Bulletin reporters also spoke with Halawa prison warden Nolan
Espinda and asked about the likelihood of Byran being transferred to a
prison on the mainland. He responded by saying that mainland prisons are
no longer accepting out-of-state multiple murderers. He also said he
feels that Byran will be safe here. Contrary to what I had been told by
my *secret, un-named source* whose information may not have been as
reliable as I had believed, he also stated that, "a 'vast majority' of
inmates serving long-term sentences remain at Halawa and are not
transferred to mainland facilities." So it looks like Halawa
Correctional Facility in Aiea, on the island of Oahu, HI, may very well
be Byran Uyesugi's permanent home.
Aloha,
Georgina
Uyesugi unlikely to be ever granted parole
Attorneys say that given the level of his offenses, he'll never get out
alive
http://starbulletin.com/2000/08/09/news/
Convicted multiple murderer Byran Uyesugi is joining an exclusive group
of "lifers" in the Hawaii prison system. The list of inmates serving
life terms without parole includes convicted murderers Orlando Ganal,
Norman Montira, Roy Apao, Catherine Samuel, Lael Samonte and Clyde
Pinero.
But Uyesugi, sentenced yesterday by Judge Marie Milks, will stand out
among them for having committed Hawaii's worst multiple slaying. "The
crime is going to be the overshadowing historical fact by which all
other mass killings are compared," Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter
said of Uyesugi, a Xerox copy-machine repairman who killed seven
co-workers last November.
In 20 years, Hawaii law provides that the Department of Public Safety
and Parole Board file an application to the governor on Uyesugi's behalf
for a commutation of his sentence to life with the possibility of
parole. Based on the heinousness and "total deliberate indifference to
human life" of the crime, Van Marter believes Uyesugi will never get out
of prison. Attorney Mike Green, who has defended death-penalty cases on
the mainland, agrees. "It's not even a remote possibility," Green said.
Uyesugi's lawyers said their client wants to appeal, but Green says he
can't think of any issues that would cause the Hawaii Supreme Court to
reverse the conviction. If the evidence against the defendant is
overwhelming, the appellate courts normally don't disturb the jury's
findings, Green said. "In this case, (both parties) were allowed to put
on their case," Green said. "That's it."
The argument that Uyesugi will not receive the proper treatment he needs
for his mental illness is of no consequence since he is not likely to be
released back into society, Green said. "There's no rehabilitative
purpose in this sentencing," Green added.
Van Marter said the court handled the trial "expeditiously, efficiently
and fair" to both parties and with respect for surviving family members.
"I think the court's rulings were fair and correct."
Uyesugi was admitted directly to the mental health unit for assessment
after being transported to Halawa High/Medium Security Facility at about
noon yesterday. Depending on the assessment and Uyesugi's past behavior
while at the Oahu Community Correctional Center awaiting trial and
sentencing, Uyesugi could be either placed on suicide watch -- constant
24-hour surveillance -- or safety watch, which means he is checked by
staff
every 15 minutes, Warden Nolan Espinda said.
In the next four to six weeks, prison social workers will assign an
appropriate custody level that will determine where Uyesugi will be
housed permanently. One likely possibility for Uyesugi is the protective
custody unit -- a specialized unit at Halawa's high-security complex
reserved for inmates who are a danger to themselves, other inmates or to
the efficient operation of the prison.
Lifers are not automatically placed into protective custody. According
to his lawyers, Uyesugi has indicated that he wants out of protective
custody, his classification in recent weeks at OCCC.
Module B, home of the protective custody unit, currently houses about 25
protective-custody inmates. Inmates are double-celled, meaning they have
a roommate. They spend at least eight hours at night and a couple hours
between shifts confined to their cells, Espinda said. The rest of the
day is spent in a day room separate from the rest of the prison
population where they can interact with other protective-custody
inmates, watch TV and play cards.
Inmates there cannot be moved without escorts and when they are,
"everybody else stops,"
Espinda said. The inmates also are allowed an hour of recreation in an
open-air, enclosed yard each day. Meals are delivered to the module and
eaten in the day room. Showers are adjacent to a "quad," made up of six
cells. Medical personnel go to them, rather than having inmates escorted
to the infirmary.
Uyesugi is safe in Hawaii's prisons, Espinda said. If placed in
protective custody, Uyesugi won't be treated differently from any other
protective custody inmate, he said.
When asked if Uyesugi was a likely candidate for transfer to a mainland
prison, Espinda would said a "vast majority" of inmates serving
long-term sentences remain at Halawa and are not transferred to mainland
facilities. Also, the mainland prisons will no longer accept
out-of-state inmates convicted of multiple-murders.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIFE SENTENCES
To receive a mandatory life term without parole, there must be murder in
the first degree. A person commits Murder One if the person
intentionally or knowingly causes the death of:
(a) More than one person in the same or separate incident;
(b) A peace officer, judge or prosecutor arising out of the performance
of official duties;
(c) A person known by the defendant to be a witness in a criminal
prosecution;
(d) A person by a hired killer, in which event both the person hired and
the person responsible for hiring the killer shall be punished under
this section; or
(e) A person while the defendant was imprisoned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Lifers' in Hawaii:
Here are some inmates serving a mandatory life term without parole in
Hawaii's prisons:
Norman Montira: Convicted of shooting three people, fatally wounding
one, in April 1997 in the driveway of a Nanakuli home. The three had
intervened when Montira threatened his girlfriend with a gun.
Orlando Ganal: Convicted of killing five people in a rampage in August
1995. He shot and wounded his wife, Mabel, and son before fatally
shooting his in-laws, Aradina and Santiago Dela Cruz. He then drove to
the Kailua home of Wendy and Michael Touchette, tossing a firebomb into
their bedroom that killed their two young children. Michael later died
of his injuries. Wendy underwent a long period of surgery and recovery
as a result of her burns, but survived.
Clyde Pinero: Convicted for fatally shooting Officer David Ronk in June
1989 with the officer's own service revolver during a struggle at
Pinero's Waianae home. Pinero was on probation for robbery and criminal
property damage convictions when Ronk and two other officers went to the
home to serve him with outstanding warrants and a temporary restraining
order by his wife.
Catherine Samuel: Convicted of murdering a fellow inmate, her ex-lover
Agnes Spear, at the Kailua women's prison on New Year's Eve 1989.
Lael Samonte: Convicted for trying to kill a police officer during a
December 1988 shooting and standoff with police. He also was convicted
in the same incident of attempting to shoot his estranged girlfriend's
mother and brother before police arrived.
Roy Apao: Convicted of beating Faafouina Tualolo to death in July 1974
with a bumper jack. He was the first to be convicted under a state law
that punishes defendants who murder prosecution witnesses with life
imprisonment without parole. Tualolo was to testify against Apao, who
was awaiting trial for killing his neighbor.