Abuse Charge Against Maui Cop Dropped After Document Goes Missing

A judge has dismissed a criminal complaint against a former Maui police officer after a document went missing, delaying court proceedings for longer than the 180-day time limit for a speedy trial. 

The Maui News reports that Christopher Kealoha, who resigned from the department earlier this year, was accused of abusing his wife, also a police officer. But the penal summons mysteriously went missing.

The newspaper has a nice recap of the hearing. It’s a pretty wild tale. In a nutshell, it’s undisputed that Kealoha’s wife, Rachel, wants the charges dropped. A playback of the 911 tape in court indicates the incident isn’t one to be brushed off lightly. The penal summons disappeared from a folder in February that other officers — including Rachel Kealoha — had access to. 

Meantime, the judge dismissed the case without prejudice, citing the unusual circumstances of the trial delay, meaning that the case can be brought again.

Read the full story.