LIHU‘E — Stealing from the boss and resisting arrest during a DUI will cost David C. Bynum some jail time and probation. Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe on Sept. 28 sentenced Bynum on second-degree theft and resisting arrest charges following
LIHU‘E — Stealing from the boss and resisting arrest during a DUI will cost David C. Bynum some jail time and probation.
Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe on Sept. 28 sentenced Bynum on second-degree theft and resisting arrest charges following a change of plea of no contest deal on both charges on June 13.
Two Kaua‘i Police Department officers were arresting Bynum for driving under the influence on Jan. 17, 2010, when he resisted and kicked one of the officers while threatening that their jobs would be in jeopardy based on family connections.
Two months later Bynum, son of Councilman Tim Bynum, was arrested on March 18, 2010 for stealing seven fishing reels from his employer valued at more than $5,000. He reportedly schemed to sell the reels on O‘ahu.
Bynum, 23, lived on Kaua‘i but listed his residence as Honolulu at the time of the arrest. He was represented at the hearing by State Public Defender Christian Enright.
For the theft charge Bynum was ordered to serve four months in jail and five-years probation. He has paid $2,000 in restitution to the owner of the reels and must pay the remaining $1, 563.54.
Bynum must also complete 150 hours of community service work. Half of the hours must be completed by July 31. The remaining half are to be completed by Dec. 1.
For the resisting arrest charge Bynum was ordered to serve 10 days in jail and one-year of probation to run concurrent with his other sentence.
The state, represented by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John H. Murphy, requested one year of jail and five years probation. Murphy also objected to a motion for deferred acceptance of guilt in each case, based on the impact to the victim and the increasing severity of criminal activity as a juvenile and an adult.
Watanabe granted the deferred acceptance. If Bynum satisfies all the conditions set out in sentencing then he is eligible for the opportunity to have the charges erased from his record.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by emailing tlaventure@ thegardenisland.com.
