Prosecutor: Hawaii man accused of throwing 23-month-old boy off overpass was intoxicated
By APThursday, February 4, 2010
Murder trial of man accused of tossing boy ending
HONOLULU — A Honolulu prosecutor says a man charged in the death of a 23-month-old boy was high on crystal meth when he tossed the boy from an overpass but his defense attorney suggested a boyfriend of the toddler’s mother was responsible for the death.
City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle said during closing argments Thursday that Matthew Higa was under the influence when he threw Cyrus Belt from a 30-foot high freeway overpass in January 2009. After landing on the pavement, Cyrus was run over by a delivery truck.
But defense attorney Randall Oyama says Cyrus was already dead or unconscious when he was thrown. He suggested a boyfriend of the baby’s mother was responsible for the death.
The 24-year-old Higa did not testify at his non-jury bench trial.
Circuit Court Judge Dexter Del Rosario says he will render a verdict Feb. 11.
