Case dismissed against HPD officer accused of striking teen
The case against a Honolulu police captain accused of striking a teenage water polo player was dismissed today after the alleged victim in the case failed to appear in court for a second time.
Trial was supposed to begin in Ewa District Court this morning for Capt. Mark Ward, who allegedly struck the woman, 18, at a high school water polo meet in May 2010.
Ward was charged with one-count of third-degree assault, a misdemeanor.
District Judge Faye Koyanagi dismissed with the case with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be refiled by prosecutors.
The city Prosecutor’s Office said the family of the victim are military and moved to the mainland shortly after the incident.
Ward is a 27-year veteran assigned to the Homeland Security Division.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
Both Ward and Scott Collins, his attorney, declined comment after the case except to say they had been ready to proceed to trial.
Deputy Prosecutor Addison Bonner said Ward was accused of striking the woman with the handle of an umbrella, causing redness to her skin.
As is common with investigations into possible wrongdoing by a police officer, Ward has been on restrictive duty since the complaint was made, police officials said.
—-
Correction: Capt. Mark Ward was issued a summons for the alleged misdemeanor. An earlier version of this story said he had been arrested.