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Hawaii football coach Norm Chow has suspended reserve linebacker Alema Tachibana from team-related activities until the resolution of his drunken-driving case.
Through his attorney, R. Patrick McPherson, Tachibana entered a not guilty plea in District Court on Monday morning.
Tachibana was not in court.
His trial is scheduled for Oct. 15.
Police arrested Tachibana, 21, in Kalihi on June 16. He was released after posting $500 bail.
McPherson said he will not comment on specifics of the case until after he receives the prosecutor’s report.
“Until you get a chance to review every aspect of the case, you don’t know what you’re going to get,” McPherson said. “Sometimes a client remembers one thing and the police write down something else. It’s like a Christmas present from your aunt. You never know what it’s going to be until you open it up.”
Chow said he wanted to wait until after Monday’s court appearance before imposing a punishment.
Chow said an arrest is considered a violation of team rules. The school may impose additional sanctions if a player is convicted or accepts guilt of a DUI charge.
Chow said Tachibana will remain on scholarship and be allowed to attend classes while on suspension.
Tachibana has been participating with the rest of the team in a school-administered conditioning program that runs through July 29.
UH’s training camp begins on Aug. 1, with the first practice on Aug. 2.
Tachibana was one of three Warriors arrested on a DUI accusation during a 102-day span.
Backup quarterback Cayman Shutter pleaded no contest to a DUI charge. He was ordered to pay a fine and attend classes on driver’s education and substance-abuse awareness. He is suspended for the first four games of the 2012 season.
Punter Alex Dunnachie was arrested earlier this month. His court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 3.
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