LIHUE — A 5th Circuit grand jury has reindicted a defendant involved in a 2011 negligent homicide case. Brittney Lehua Kane, 20, was indicted Wednesday on new charges of manslaughter, first-degree negligent homicide, second-degree assault and first-degree negligent injury. The
LIHUE — A 5th Circuit grand jury has reindicted a defendant involved in a 2011 negligent homicide case.
Brittney Lehua Kane, 20, was indicted Wednesday on new charges of manslaughter, first-degree negligent homicide, second-degree assault and first-degree negligent injury.
The indictment stems from an accident that occurred on Sept. 11, 2011, when Kane was driving to a friend’s home after attending a hotel party.
The car left the road and overturned after striking a tree, killing Nahele Kapua. The three passengers were all minors at the time.
Kane is being charged with recklessly causing the death of Kapua, and causing substantial bodily injury to Koahe Cordeiro, by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The original case came from Family Court, and prior to Kane’s arraignment on similar charges, the defense motioned to dismiss the case for prosecutor misconduct and lack of court jurisdiction.
Citing prosecutor error, but not misconduct as alleged by the defense, Judge Kathleen Watanabe dismissed the original case on Feb. 14. The case was dismissed without prejudice and allowed the state to present a new case on the same charges against the defendant prior to Wednesday’s indictment.
