UH players enter not-guilty pleas
Defensive tackles Kennedy Tulimasealii and Ka‘aumoana Gifford entered not-guilty pleas in District Court this morning.
Here’s the skinny:
Kennedy Tulimasealii
> Action: Tulimasealii pleaded not guilty two charges of assault, one charge of resisting arrest, and one charge of harassment stemming from an incident with his ex-girlfriend on April 12. The assault and resisting arrest charges are misdemeanors; harassment is a petty misdemeanor. District Court Judge Lono J. Lee moved the case to Circuit Court for arraignment and plea on May 23.
> Strategy: The move usually leads to a jury trial. But his attorney Michael Green said he is hopeful of a deferred plea in which Tulimasealii would accept the charges, which then would be set aside for a specified time. Under that plan, the charges would be expunged if he does not get into additional trouble during that probationary period.
> Hitch: While Green is hopeful of resolving those charges, Tulimasealii also has a pending felony charge of property damage. He is alleged to have smashed a navigational display on a car belonging to his ex-girlfriend’s father. The estimated value of the damage — in excess of $3,000 — led to a felony count
> Final judgment: The result of Tulimasealii’s legal issues will determine what — if any — further sanctions he will face from UH’s Upper Campus. He currently is suspended from team-related activities, although he remains on scholarship and is attending classes. He said he has two final exams this week.
Ka‘aumoana Gifford
> Action: His attorney Paul Cunney entered not-guilty pleas to a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest and two petty-misdemeanor charges of harassment. Cunney also requested — and received — permission to consolidate those charges with a separate charge of leaving the scene of an accident in March. Gifford’s joint hearing is set for June 3. Gifford received a waiver to not appear in court today. Cunney said Gifford is grieving the recent death of his mother and his best friend. The cases remain in District Court.
> Strategy: Cunney’s hope is to also receive a deferred-plea agreement. Cunney said Gifford is deserving of leniency because he acted as a “Good Samaritan” who tried to cover Tulimasealii, who was not wearing clothes when he was arrested. As for the traffic incident, according to Cunney, Gifford drove away after failing to reach a financial agreement with the other drive in the alleged fender-bender accident.
> Final judgment: Depending on the outcome of his legal issues, Gifford probably does not face further disciplinary action from Upper Campus.
Good luck to both in getting their lives back in order.
Nice catch on Tunney vs Cunney! 🙂
Hope things work out for them to get on the field this year. In any event, Kennedy needs some anger management help for sure.
ST, on another note, looks like Charlie Wade is bringing in a solid recruiting class this year. Are you going to posting anything on that?
=post
No judge here-my hope is things can be righted and smoothed over for all parties involved-whatever occurs, make things right for any harmed party and move on peacefully in a normal fashion. One thing I know-kids do stupid ****. Go WArriors
I agree with Green that Tuimasealii and Gifford should have their cases resolved with a deferred acceptance of guilty plea. This gives incentive for both to stay out of trouble and get help to deal with their problems (speaking more of Tuimasealii htere), since a guilty plea and sentencing is hanging over them. It does away with a trial, avoids testimony on this very personal matter, and is protective of Tuimaseallii’s girlfriend who will not have to testify. It will help to resolve the issue at the University with Tuimasealii acknowledging his problems and taking a step toward dealing with his problems.
Joel 2
A Call to Repentance
12 That is why the LORD says,
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
And the preaching continues. Can we get this guy to stop. This is not the right place.
Kids, God cannot protect you from the effects of alcohol and drugs. We have living proof.
So when this is resolved, what is next for the University (football team), and the two young men? Reinstated? Permanent expulsion? ST?
You go …legislature…don’t listen 2 the heathens on here…especially those professing to be hawaiian…or hawaiian at heart…
If all Gifford was doing was trying to cover up KT, which I believe, then HPD really has hit rock bottom w/ the quality of Officers they hire … it’s called the “John Wayne Syndrome” … during the interview process they try to weed these types out but seems like they are not hiring them and this is the end result. I believe Gifford should be reinstated … KT’s situation is a bit different but I pray for the best for him
#9 PONO … I agree … this is about UH Football … ST please do something about this … I’m a firm believer in Freedom of Speech but there is a time and place for everything …
#13 808warriorfan
If you complain about Legislature, you’re only inciting him to evoke the familiar FoxNews refrain about “the war on Christianity”. This is the miniature version of putting a nativity scene in the state capital.
I would love to write about Goldman Sachs’ actions during the housing bubble as the main reason why Hillary Clinton’s claim that she is a progressive like Bernie is ludicrous, but I refrain. Or that the accompanying video for the new Beyonce album is a legitimately earth-shaking film about what it means to be an African-American.
13,14…..when people respectfully ask someone to discontinue a behavior (any behavior) and the individual continues with the behavior this is a problem. It has nothing to do with freedom of speech or respect for ones religious or spiritual convictions. Continuation of a behavior that others have found bothersome has to do with a lack of respect for others. If this lack of respect is cloaked in some sort of righteous evangelical zeal you have the foundation of many of the abominations that have afflicted humankind throughout the ages. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” as stated by Saint Bernard of Clairvoux.
But I digress. One hopes that the lives of our two young warriors who are currently in front of the courts finds some way forward. A way that both takes into account the serious nature of the allegations and also the reality that such crises have the potential to be turning points in young lives and we shouldn’t turn our backs of these young men. Hold them accountable yes, but provide a way forward.
Finance Factors hosted “An Evening with Eran Ganot” last night. The $20,000 raised, will go toward summer school, the training table and other critical needs for the program. Rolo showed his teams support by making an appearance also.
While we all hope for KT to be a “good” human, the fact that:
Tulimasealii also has a pending felony charge of property damage. He is alleged to have smashed a navigational display on a car belonging to his ex-girlfriend’s father. The estimated value of the damage — in excess of $3,000 —
The father is probably more worried about his daughters safety and staying
alive in the near future…
Titus 1
15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
Another board says Ben Clarke was released by KC.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=37439