HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0272.022 1998-2000
January 4, ?000
Members of the Council
Hawaii County Council ~ 1, ReGE1vED
,
11me - ~ - ,
Dear Council Members, oa~~ - - f
County Council
Recently, [was called for jury duty and when I was interviewed by the judge, I was asked
if I could make a fair and impartial decision. As I recall, I said that I could but that if I
was faced with making a decision when I knew that there was information, which was not
shared or not allowed, I would be frustrated. 1 knew that I would find it very difficult to
make a decision if I were forced to only consider information, which was presented,
when I truly believed that there were things unsaid. I know that this is not acceptable in a
court of law but often one's good sense tells you when there are unanswered questions or
conflicting information.
This is how 1 feel about the police corruption trial, which was just completed in the Hilo
courts. I truly believe that the "show" that the lawyers put on influenced the jury and that
the information, which they were allowed to use to make their decision, was incomplete.
1 believe that it is important for the real truth to be shared and that the County needs to
appeal the recent rulings. This case has already cost the taxpayers much money but I do
not want it to also cost us our integrity and dignity. To not continue to find the entire
truth would not be good for any of us.
Months ago, the County had an opportunity to settle the case and refused to do so. The
reason for not settling was their belief that they were right and therefore were not
responsible to pay out that lazge sum of money. The reason for not settling the case today
still exists. Do we give up and say it is not worth it? As an educator, if I decided to give
up on a student who I worked long and hard with and who still found learning a
challenge, what message would I be giving this student and his family? Just as I choose
not to give up on the students in this County, I do not believe that ypu should give up on
the people whose integrity is in question.
Sometimes doing the right thing is harder than doing what might be the easy way out of a
situation. This is such a time. I challenge you to look at the decisions you made in the
past and allow them to help you to make the right decision in the future.
Silncie/rely, 1/~,
Charlene H. Masuhara Comm. No. 272 ~ 022
File No. ~
Ref. To: P ~CourJCIL
Ref. Date dAN 0 5 ?060