Bill Text: HI HR113 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Evaluating The Frequency Of Untoward Criminal Events In Psychiatric Patients And The Crucial Role Of An Interprofessional Team In Preserving Public Safety.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-03-14 - Referred to HHH, JHA, referral sheet 27 [HR113 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-HR113-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	113
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

EVALUATING THE FREQUENCY OF UNTOWARD CRIMINAL EVENTS IN PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS AND THE crucial ROLE OF AN INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN PRESERVING PUBLIC SAFETY.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, on February 15^th, 2022, a previously incarcerated criminally insane person was released from the city prosecutor's office after assaulting a police officer and upon release proceeded to beat a woman to death with a tree limb on the steps of the Kapolei Police Station; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Hawaii Article IX §6 provides "The State and its political subdivisions . . .  shall plan and manage the growth of the population to protect and preserve the public health and welfare"; and

 

     WHEREAS, over two centuries later, King Kamehameha the Great's "Ke Kānāwai Māmalahoe" or "Law of the Splintered Paddle" remains a precept in the State Constitution symbolizing servant leadership and elevating the importance of caring for and serving one's people; and

 

     WHEREAS, on February 18^th, 2022, Michael Armstrong was charged with the second-degree murder of Linda Johnson, and the attack took place just after he was released by officers at the Kapolei Police Station that Monday night; and

 

     WHEREAS, victim Linda Johnson had also been released from custody for sleeping at the closed Kuhio Beach Park in Waikiki, and "might have stayed near the police station thinking it was safe" but was beaten to death by a man whose violence had already been reported to the station; and

 

     WHEREAS, Prosecuting Attorney of Honolulu Steve Alm reasons his hindrance from charging Armstrong with a misdemeanor is "because [Armstrong] would have gone to court the next day and likely pled guilty, which would have foreclosed us from later charging him with felony assault of the [police] officer"; and

 

     WHEREAS, following his acquittal in 2007, Michael Armstrong has been on conditional release from the state hospital for 15 years as a ward of the state, transferring back-and-forth from community group homes and the Hawaii State Hospital per his diagnosis of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Hospital, an agency of the State of Hawaii Department of Health, within the Adult Mental Health Division, is the only public psychiatric hospital in Hawaii and is typically utilized for court-ordered evaluations; and

 

     WHEREAS, Michael's father Tony Armstrong quotes "This wouldn't have happened if [Michael] wasn't released . . . Linda Johnson would still have her life and my son would not be a murderer"; and

 

     WHEREAS, research efforts should be allocated towards characterizing the relationship between psychiatric illness and criminality and substantiating the critical role of an interprofessional team in caring for afflicted patients and ensuring public safety; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Hawaii State House of Representatives urges the Honolulu Chief of Police, the Honolulu City and County Prosecutor, the Hawaii Attorney General, and the United States Attorney to conduct a thorough investigation of the brutal murder in front of the Kapolei Police Station; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Honolulu Chief of Police, the Honolulu City and County Prosecutor, the Hawaii Attorney General, and the United States attorney shall research the impact of releasing prisoners with a long list of prior conflicts to prevent similar tragedies in the future; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the aforementioned group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular session of 2023; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the Governor of the State of Hawaii, the Department of Public Safety, the Honolulu Chief of Police, the Honolulu City and County Prosecutor, the Attorney General of the State of Hawaii, and the United States Attorney.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Urging thorough investigation of untoward criminal events.