A subpoena was issued last week for unclassified U.S. Navy radar printouts in relation to last September’s flight-seeing helicopter crash. Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe granted the subpoena on behalf of County Deputy Prosecutor Ken Norelli so that he
A subpoena was issued last week for unclassified U.S. Navy radar printouts in relation to last September’s flight-seeing helicopter crash.
Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe granted the subpoena on behalf of County Deputy Prosecutor Ken Norelli so that he could prepare for pilot Glen Lampton’s July 24 jury trial.
In court records, Norelli wanted the printouts for the time period between 2 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. Sept. 23 in the Ha’ena Beach area.
“Upon information and belief, the U.S. Navy has possession of radar data and supporting documents at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base,” wrote Norelli, adding that the information is being held by Billy Ducas, a civilian radar operator.
According to the subpoena, Ducas is to appear with the information May 1 at the County Prosecutor’s Office.
Court records show that Lampton’s attorney Sam King did not oppose the subpoena.
In court documents, Norelli pointed out that Lampton indicated in a written statement to Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board officials that he avoided a midair collision with another helicopter.
Lampton was indicted in December on three counts of manslaughter, two counts of reckless endangering, one count of unsworn falsification to authorities, and with one count of tampering with evidence.
Bail was set at $100,000. It was later reduced to $20,000, and Lampton was given court permission to go back home to Las Vegas pending trial. At the time of the incident, Lampton was living in Princeville.
After the crash, Lampton was transferred to ground duties at Heli USA’s main office in Las Vegas.
King wrote in court records that Lampton was a police officer for 22 years in Houston, and he retired from the force in 2004. King wrote that Lampton has been a helicopter pilot for eight years.
In court records, King wrote that Lampton had not violated the law before being arrested in January for the flightseeing helicopter crash. King also pointed out that Lampton is not a flight risk.
“He is not a danger to the community as shown by his distinguished work history as a police officer,” wrote King.
