After hearing closing arguments today, a jury will decide whether nepotism played a role in the January arrest of a 77-year-old man facing two attempted assault charges. The alleged victims are related to the lead investigator in the case, however,
After hearing closing arguments today, a jury will decide whether nepotism played a role in the January arrest of a 77-year-old man facing two attempted assault charges.
The alleged victims are related to the lead investigator in the case, however, so is Vincent Napolis, the man accused of assaulting them.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Bridges confirmed with Officer Richard Drapesa that the fact that he was related to the parties didn’t influence his investigation, however, defense attorney Ken Norelli disagreed.
“There was no need for 911 with your family because you get to personally call your cousin,” Norelli said.
Norelli made the argument to jurors that Napolis’ family has had an ongoing disagreement regarding rights to property in Hanalei.
He also argued that after an altercation Jan. 27, an aunt within the family called Drapesa directly and circumvented calling 911 dispatch to help remove the uncle from the property.
Napolis is accused of striking one of his nephews and breaking the skin, as well as threatening his family with a piece of wrought-iron rebar.
Conceding that he wasn’t dispatched to the residence by 911, Drapesa said he was called to the scene by his superior, and that he had already been investigating Napolis for an alleged assault on Napolis’ nephew, Sean Garma, that had happened earlier that day.
Citing an “appearance of impropriety,” Norelli asked Drapesa whether he had a conflict of interest in the case.
“Even though you feel like you could do the right thing, to other people, it could appear you’re taking sides,” Norelli said.
“…Don’t you think this is one of those situations where a jury looking at this is going to say, ‘Why is this guy the lead investigator in the middle of a dispute with his own family?’”
Stating that the Hanalei residence was within his beat, Drapesa said he didn’t feel he had a conflict of interest.
“I was unbiased about it,” he said. “I did what I had to do regardless of whether it was my family.”
• Amanda C. Gregg, assistant editor/staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com.
