HONOLULU — A Hawaii jury has convicted a 59-year-old man on a lesser charge in the death of a former Honolulu sportscaster.
Mark Coleman was found guilty last week of second-degree assault against John Noland, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported .
Coleman and Noland, 60, were acquaintances. They had gotten into a fight in Honolulu in June, resulting in Noland falling back and hitting his head on the sidewalk, according to court documents.
Noland entered a coma and died six days later. Coleman, who is homeless, was charged with manslaughter.
Noland died of blunt force injury to his head, coupled with heart disease and obesity, Honolulu Chief Medical Examiner Christopher Happy told the court. Noland also had cocaine in his system and a high blood alcohol level, he said.
The jury’s verdict “clearly shows the jury did not believe the defendant’s claim of self-defense that contradicted the video,” assistant prosecutor Oksana Vincent said.
During the trial, prosecutors showed surveillance video of the encounter. The video appears to show Coleman falling on top of Noland, and Coleman punching him.
Coleman testified that Noland had snatched money out of his hand and grabbed his backpack strap. He then kicked Noland on the shin, he said.
Coleman is scheduled to be sentenced in March.
Noland had worked as a sports reporter for KHON-TV in the 1980s. He later hosted a sports show on KFVE and covered Hawaii Pacific University sports for another broadcaster. He also worked at multiple radio stations.
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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
