Former Hawaii island cop convicted of murdering wife gets new parole hearing

Due to procedural problems, a new parole hearing is scheduled for a former Hawaii island police officer convicted in 1996 for the kidnapping and murder of his wife in 1992.

On July 15, 2009, the Hawaii Paroling Authority set Kenneth Mathison’s minimum parole terms at 20 years for the kidnapping conviction and 90 years for the murder conviction. Yvonne Mathison was bludgeoned with a lead pipe and struck by a van. The minimum terms are the amount of time Mathison must spend in prison for each offense before he can be released on parole. 

According to a news release issued by the state Attorney General’s Office, “certain procedural problems arose during the July 2009 hearing,” including a lack of attorney representation for Mathison.

Consequently, the paroling authority is holding a new hearing, set for 11 a.m. today, to “re-determine the minimum terms.” The state maintains that the minimum terms set in July 2009 were correct and is asking the HPA to leave the minimum terms unchanged.”