Victim’s friend cross-examined about believing gun was Taser

Shane Medeiros, the close friend of the man who was fatally shot at a McDonald’s restaurant in Waikiki, testified this morning that he thought the special agent accused of murder was carrying a Taser rather than a real gun.

Medeiros said he thought State Department special agent Christopher Deedy had an electronic stun gun because he didn’t think anyone would be carrying a gun at the fast-food restaurant.

Medeiros testified last week that he saw the butt of Deedy’s gun, but at first thought it was a Taser.

Medeiros this morning also affirmed his earlier testimony that he did not see Deedy identify himself as a law enforcement officer.

Under cross-examination by the defense today, Medeiros was asked if the reason he thought the weapon was a Taser was that he knew Deedy was a law enforcement officer.

Circuit Judge Karen Ahn upheld an objection by the prosecution to the question was “argumentative.”

State law prohibits members of the public from carrying the electronic guns, but makes an exception for police officers.

Medeiros testified he’s seen women carry Tasers, but has not seen a man who is not an officer carry  the weapon.

“But I’m sure they do,” he added.

Medeiros is the key prosecution witness who returned to the witness stand this morning for questioning by the defense in the 13th day of Deedy’s murder trial.

Deedy, 29, of Arlington, Va., who was here for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, is charged with shooting Kollin Elderts, 23, of Kailua, the early morning of Nov. 5, 2011, at the McDonald’s Kuhio Avenue restaurant.

Deedy’s defense is that he identified himself as a law enforcement officer and fired his 9 mm Glock to ward off an attack from Elderts.  

Judge Ahn recessed the trial for the afternoon to give jurors a chance to return home and take precautions because of tropical storm Flossie.