Police civil case could wait until 2018

KAILUA-KONA— The civil case over the death of Randall Hatori on Feb. 4, 2014, may not be heard until early 2018, according to a filing by the attorney suing Hawaii County on behalf of Clarence Hatori, Randall’s brother.

Randall Hatori died after a struggle with police when he was removed from a vehicle. The county argues his death resulted from the exertion and an enlarged heart, while the plaintiff says it’s the result of the police “tasing and beating” Hatori.

“The case should be ready for trial sometime in late 2017 or early 2018,” wrote Richard Gronna, attorney for Clarence Hatori. In an email, county attorney Lauren Martin said that late 2017 seemed likely.

After a scheduling conference, Gronna filed a statement that said “no settlement offer was discussed, though future settlement possibilities were discussed and evaluated.” It did not specify what discussions and evaluations there were.

The filing does not list the name of the officers involved or the number present, saying only at least one was female.

The county moved to consolidate the case with another civil case, this one filed by Kanoelani K. Hatori-Nuechterlein, both as herself and representative of Randall Hatori’s estate, and Shauna Fergerstrom, representing a minor. The filing by Martin says “these two civil actions arise from the same series of events and contain substantially identical factual and legal issues.”

Hatori’s attorney filed a statement of no opposition to the combination.

The case transferred from Judge Barry Kurren to Judge Kenneth Mansfield. Kurren retired in March, having held the position since 1992.