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Gary L. Landis was released from custody earlier this week as police continued to investigate the stabbing death of a 70-year-old newspaper vendor in November, but Landis was back in jail again Friday.
Just 32 hours after being released without being charged in the death of Thaddeus "Ted" Pirga Jr. of Hawaii Kai on Nov. 9 on Waialae Avenue, Landis was cited and arrested at 2:15 a.m. Friday for allegedly being in Kapiolani Park after it closed at midnight.
Landis, 30, is charged with violation of the city’s parks hours ordinance — a petty misdemeanor that carries a maximum 30-day prison term and a maximum fine of $500. The city park ordinance prohibits anyone from entering or remaining in Kapiolani Park and the Waikiki Shell after it closes at midnight until 5 a.m.
Landis remained in police custody Friday night, unable to post bail of $1,000.
He was released at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday without being charged in the killing.
Landis was brought in for questioning Tuesday and arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder a week after he was released from Oahu Community Correctional Center.
Landis was convicted of second-degree robbery in February, sentenced to four months’ probation on May 26 and released the next day. He had been confined at Oahu Community Correctional Center for the past seven months.
Landis’s arrest record dates from at least 2012.
He was convicted of second-degree possession of more than 2 ounces of marijuana in 2013 and sentenced to two days in jail.
In November 2012, Landis was cited for being in Ala Moana Beach Park after it closed. After failing to appear in District Court several times, Landis in March 2013 entered a plea of no contest and was sentenced to two days in jail. No fine was imposed because Landis said he couldn’t afford it.
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HPD