This happened very recently here. Yet another good reminder to not expect anyone to help you if you're in trouble, even in the "aloha" state (non-capitalized on purpose).
http://www.kitv.com/news/21290240/detail.htmlTourists Troubled Witnesses Didn't Report Death
Hotel Employee Admit Seeing Suspicious Activity
POSTED: 7:11 pm HST October 13, 2009
UPDATED: 7:34 pm HST October 13, 2009
WAIKIKI, Hawaii -- Residents and visitors alike said they are troubled Tuesday by the news that several hotel employees did nothing to help when they saw a couple struggling near the area where a woman's body was later discovered.
One witness even reported seeing "a man on top of a woman choking her with both hands," but did not call for help.
Bryanna Antone's body was found Oct. 2 in the waters off the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Antone was visiting from New Mexico.
Three Royal Hawaiian hotel employees interviewed by police after Antone's body was discovered told police they saw a man struggling with someone.
The most graphic description was revealed in court documents.
A hotel cook said he saw a male on top of a female either shoving or choking her with both hands near the throat area, making repeated choking movements that lasted about 10 minutes.
Yet the cook and two other witnesses failed to report anything.
Tourists KITV spoke with said they should have called.
"The woman could have been saved and that's really tragic. I think people should take more responsibility. If you see something, you really have the responsibility to do something," said visitor Kowkab Simaan.
The alleged killer, Aaron Susa, pleaded not guilty to a second degree murder charge.
Victim's rights activist, Nanci Kreidman said the inaction is troubling.
"When you see someone being hurt it is your business to help. There should be no confusion about that call 911," Kreidman said.
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel said its employee policy is to report any suspicious or unusual behavior to hotel security.
"It's just sad they didn't pick up their cell phone or whatever call 911 or hotel security and ask someone to go see what the heck is going on out there," said Waikiki neighborhood board chairman Bob Finley.
A coroner told police Antone had a fractured larynx and bruises on her neck and chest but her cause of death has no yet been released.
Copyright 2009 by KITV.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
