Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Judge restrains man in disturbance in court
The man, 55, jumps on the bench and breaks a flagpole before he is finally subdued
By Gordon Y.K. Pang and Rosemarie Bernardo
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Mar 21, 2012
LAST UPDATED: 12:56 a.m. HST, Mar 22, 2012
When a man entered the courtroom, jumped on District Judge Lono Lee's bench and broke in two a flagpole behind the judge Monday, Lee took matters into his own hands.
Lee put the man in a chokehold and subdued him until sheriffs arrived to assist.
The judge could not be reached for comment, but Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Toni Schwartz confirmed the incident Tuesday.
"He jumped onto the bench, broke the Hawaiian flag, and that's when the judge subdued him by knocking him down and putting him in a chokehold," Schwartz said. "And then the sheriffs took him into custody."
The man was identified as Steven Michael Hauge, 55. He was arrested and charged on counts of disorderly conduct, obstruction of government operations and fourth-degree criminal property damage, Schwartz said. He was being held at Oahu Community Correctional Center after not being able to post $1,500 bail.
State Sheriff Shawn Tsuha said Hauge had been going from courtroom to courtroom on the 10th floor screaming.
Tsuha said that a judge and court bailiffs confronted Hauge when he grabbed a Hawaii flag posted behind the judge and broke the staff when he was swinging it around. "He was quite upset about something," Tsuha said.
Lee has been on the bench since former Hawaii Chief Justice Ronald Moon appointed him in April 2003. Before that he had been in private practice and also served as a city attorney for 10 years.
It is not clear why Hauge was in the Honolulu District Court Building on Alakea Street.
Hauge has an extensive record dating to 1977 with more than 50 convictions for a variety of charges from burglary and fraud to assault, according to online court records.
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gary360 wrote:
Only 50, throw the key away.
on March 21,2012 | 03:23AM
1local wrote:
this is a case for Michael Green - there are no signs in the courtroom prohibiting breaking the American flag in the courtroom. If his case goes to court he should have an easy time getting off with an insanity plea...
on March 21,2012 | 12:20PM
LittleEarl_01 wrote:
"Hauge has an extensive record dating to 1977 with more than 50 convictions." And the judges keep letting him out.Awesome!
on March 21,2012 | 03:39AM
Bruddah_Shane wrote:
Choke hold? Wow. Hon SA had the audacity to describe His Honor's actions as such.
on March 21,2012 | 03:50AM
Smiley7 wrote:
Have you ever noticed the shape of the deputies? Lee put the man in a chokehold and subdued him until sheriffs arrived to assist. Just how safe is a courtroom with their "presence"? Auwe!
on March 21,2012 | 05:13AM
OheGirl1 wrote:
I sooo agree!!! Pi-tay dat kine!!!
on March 21,2012 | 04:32PM
soundofreason wrote:
"Hauge has an extensive record dating to 1977 with more than 50 convictions for a variety of charges from burglary and fraud to assault, according to online court records.">>> Guess the chickens had come home to roost. Maybe judge Lee should take today to go around and thank all the OTHER judges that kept this guy on the street.
on March 21,2012 | 07:00AM
Publicbraddah wrote:
I thought all defendents were escorted by sheriffs. These sheriffs are supposed to secure the courtroom. The Sheriffs Department needs to convey a more professional outlook. Start by tucking in your shirts. They look like a bunch of slobs. And how about securing the prisioners. At least leg shackles.
on March 21,2012 | 07:25AM
Larry01 wrote:
Doesn't seem this guy was in custody, but rather just walking around the courthouse and had his final visit in Lee's courtroom.
on March 21,2012 | 07:47AM
silvangold wrote:
I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AGREE. there should be NO reason a person is able to get to the judge!
on March 21,2012 | 08:18AM
spc wrote:
"State Sheriff Shawn Tsuha said Hauge had been going from courtroom to courtroom on the 10th floor screaming....It is not clear why Hauge was in the Honolulu District Court Building on Alakea Street."
He wasn't a defendent in this courtroom.
on March 21,2012 | 08:27AM
mrluke wrote:
I think you need to actually READ the story.
on March 21,2012 | 07:11PM
twitter6 wrote:
MMA in the courtroom. Kudos to the judge. That clown needed a wake up call.
on March 21,2012 | 08:31AM
sluggah wrote:
Did Hauge submit? ROUND 2!
on March 21,2012 | 08:42AM
sak wrote:
He was just yelling hello to all of his judge friends on the bench. They are on a first name basis since 1977. But he was nice boy.
on March 21,2012 | 08:51AM
tutunona wrote:
The sheriffs are certainly lax..........put Hauge Away with plenty of labor..........we shouldn't have
to feed and care for him but make him labor and work very hard to earn his keep othwise return
him to the mainland..........nobody should desecrate what belongs to us..........
on March 21,2012 | 09:06AM
kokocats wrote:
agreed
on March 21,2012 | 04:43PM
false wrote:
OOps, wrong courtroom!
on March 21,2012 | 09:11AM
Waryers wrote:
He picked the wrong Judge. You don't mess with Lono.
on March 21,2012 | 09:18AM
Waokanaka wrote:
Don't mess with a Damien boy in his courtroom. The brothers taught us how to take care of punks like that.
on March 21,2012 | 09:56AM
false wrote:
Damien! Lucky he never give him the SAMBO!
on March 21,2012 | 10:06AM
paradiddle wrote:
Too funny....that brings back memories
on March 21,2012 | 02:01PM
false wrote:
The Sambo and the slush room.
on March 21,2012 | 03:50PM
bigislandkurt wrote:
With a name like LONO.....no mess with this bench. haaaaaaaaa.
on March 21,2012 | 10:03AM
myviewofthings wrote:
isnt he the guy that was impersonating a fed agent
on March 21,2012 | 10:19AM
Maunawiliboy wrote:
Yesssss
on March 21,2012 | 10:25AM
fiveo wrote:
This guy picked the wrong courtroom to act out. Judge Lee, is a former HPD officer, probation officer and a long time
power lifter. Good job Lono!
on March 21,2012 | 10:27AM
hanoz808 wrote:
really? super cool!
on March 21,2012 | 01:15PM
OheGirl1 wrote:
Yes, Coolest Judge I've ever met!!!
on March 21,2012 | 04:26PM
ChickenLittle wrote:
This is kinda awesome but where was the bailiff? Was court in session?
on March 21,2012 | 10:31AM
IAmSane wrote:
No. RTFS.
on March 22,2012 | 01:05AM
Peacenik wrote:
Unclear why? Why no ask'em? Or why still free after 50 convictions? (it does mean charged as guilty, doesn't it? or am I confusing it with acquitted?)
on March 21,2012 | 10:34AM
Hapa_Haole_Boy wrote:
Dufus was either on ice or crack, or has some screws loose.....
on March 21,2012 | 11:09AM
OheGirl1 wrote:
Lol... Or more than couple quarts low... Bradda is runnin on E...
on March 21,2012 | 04:25PM
Holomua wrote:
They left out the part where Judge Lee hits him with a tombstone piledriver, followed by a frog splash.
on March 21,2012 | 11:16AM
AlohaPaula wrote:
Chuck Norris would not mess with Judge Lono Lee.
on March 21,2012 | 11:22AM
hilopango wrote:
Agree!!
on March 21,2012 | 12:35PM
Ulalei wrote:
who has the better beard? Walker Texas Ranger or Judge Lono Lee?
on March 21,2012 | 01:20PM
false wrote:
Lee
on March 21,2012 | 03:50PM
BigOpu wrote:
So why did it take so long for the Sheriffs to run from their spot in the courtroom to the Judges Bench? What is it, maybe 10 ft.? Lets see... this idiot was able to do a dance on the bench, grab a flagpole, break it in two, and get subdued by a choke hold...wth! Were the Sheriffs just watching and snaped into action once they realize the judge needed help? I hope the judge gave those guards an ear full for their stellar protection scheme.
on March 21,2012 | 11:45AM
OheGirl1 wrote:
I was thinking the same thing when reading the article...
on March 21,2012 | 04:23PM
mrluke wrote:
Sherrifs do not necessarily sit in the courtroom unless they are escorting prisoners. In most courtrooms the defendants are not usually prisoners. Therefore - no deputies present. This guy was wandering around the courthouse.
on March 21,2012 | 07:15PM
soshaljustic wrote:
See "ON THE FOLLOWING MEASURE:
H.B. NO. 2751, H.D. 1, RELATII’JG TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION." at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/Testimony/HB2751_HD1_TESTIMONY_JUD_02-21-12_.PDF
to further presume an attempt at defining a bill for an act. Why else this gregarious and odd behavior?
Perhaps needing a serious situation to fulfill a reason to pass a bill that may entrap somebody else one day? That is how a slippery slope begins.
on March 21,2012 | 12:48PM
Ulalei wrote:
Judge Lono Lee applied the Crippler Crossface on Hauge. Then after the ordeal leapt to his feet, gave the 4 Horseman sign, and yelled, "WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
on March 21,2012 | 01:14PM
ulubean999 wrote:
lol
on March 21,2012 | 01:32PM
KahaluuCorp wrote:
No mess with da Judge!! Way to go Judge Lee!!
on March 21,2012 | 01:28PM
NotNasti wrote:
You cannot blame judges for Hauge being free to walk the streets. Most of his arrests were for petty offenses, and was last convicted 10 years ago. I think he served his time already. Kudos to Judge Lee. You da man! Hauge picked on the wrong (or right depending how you look at it) judge. Some judges pack heat on the bench FYI.
on March 21,2012 | 01:38PM
hukihei wrote:
This is a tragic story. Steve Hauge is a man who has tried to stay clean and sober, tried to work, tried to stay healthy, both body and mind. He went to community college to improve his circumstances. He's been in jail for years and has basically been institutionalized by the practice of warehousing human beings in our correctional system.
on March 21,2012 | 01:39PM
Ulalei wrote:
The only tragedy of this story is that no one caught it on video.
on March 21,2012 | 02:39PM
saveparadise wrote:
Our Judicial system remains a joke. A judge is forced to subdue someone that has received light sentencing 50 times prior while while the meter maid sheriffs try to decide what to do. Classic cartoon material. 50 convictions?? Insanity continues!
on March 21,2012 | 02:51PM
pakeheat wrote:
Darn it, looks like Hauge took a lesson from Mitch Kahle and hopes to sue the city for abuse, their going to settle out-of-court again with the taxpayers holding the bag, LOL.
on March 21,2012 | 04:18PM
Akhmed_PKC wrote:
what lame charges. imagine if this happened in federal court.
on March 21,2012 | 04:54PM
Rickyboy wrote:
Hauge learned Not To Mess with the Hawaiian Flag in front of a Hawaiian Judge! Buddha you the Man!
on March 21,2012 | 11:13PM
Wazdat wrote:
nice move, next time go nuts on one of the INCOMPETENT judges who lets CRIMINALS get off easy.
on March 21,2012 | 11:13PM
sixthsense wrote:
The psycho was screaming and running from courtroom to courtroom. Where were the deputy sheriffs? Oh, downstairs reading the newspaper and eating spam musubi! Can you imagine all the innocent people that "nut" could've hurt, due to the slow mobility of security? A judge had to take the perpertrator down! It worked out because Judge Lee was capable. What would've happened if it was a hapless female judge? The bad guy only annihilated the Hawaiian flag. Deputies, wake up! This incident could have been catastrophic!
on March 22,2012 | 09:38AM
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