LIHU‘E — Tyson Yadao, Tasered by Kaua‘i Police Department officers for allegedly kicking them while they attempted to arrest him, on Thursday pleaded not guilty to 19 counts in two cases. Through court-appointed attorney Greg Meyers, Yadao requested jury trials
LIHU‘E — Tyson Yadao, Tasered by Kaua‘i Police Department officers for allegedly kicking them while they attempted to arrest him, on Thursday pleaded not guilty to 19 counts in two cases.
Through court-appointed attorney Greg Meyers, Yadao requested jury trials in both cases, which were scheduled for March 29.
Fifth Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano presided over Yadao’s entry of pleas and will preside over the trials if the cases reach that point.
Meyers asked that other cases involving Yadao all before Valenciano be scheduled for trial on the same day.
Yadao, 21, of Kapa‘a, is in custody at Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center. He appeared wearing a white T-shirt and KCCC-issued orange pants.
The case in which he was Tasered during his arrest involves two counts of first-degree assault of a law-enforcement officer and first-degree attempted escape (a fourth charged was dropped due to lack of probable cause, Meyers said).
The second case wherein Yadao also pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial involves seven counts of second-degree forgery, six counts of second-degree theft, and single counts of third-degree theft and fourth-degree theft.
He was arrested Jan. 20 after allegedly kicking three KPD officers after he fled from a Hanama‘ulu home, a county press release states.