3 Hawaiian Cops Face Life in Prison for Killing 16-Year-Old If Convicted

The Honolulu Police Department has shared a public message concerning the crime committed by three of its officers over the death of a teenager. The trio is liable to face life imprisonment.

The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) has put out a statement concerning recent development within the force. The law enforcement charter gave updates on three of its erring officers who are currently facing principal charges.

The trio face trial for the events of April 5 that led to the death of 16-year-old Iremamber Skyap. Officer Geoffrey Thom has been charged with murder in the second degree.

If Thom, a five-year HPD veteran, is convicted, he would face life imprisonment. 26-year-old officer Zachary Ah Nee was charged with attempted murder in the second degree.

This is similar to the charges against Officer Christopher J Fredeluces, who is the third police officer. The pair is likely to face life imprisonment as well. While Fredeluces is a 10-year-veteran, Ah Nee has been at HPD for three years.

The trio was engaged in a chase after Iremamber was spotted in a car connected to several crimes, like purse snatching, car theft, and armed robbery. From the body camera evidence, Thom shot at him eight times.

When questioned, the officer claimed that Iremamber slammed into the patrol car, but the body camera revealed otherwise. Thom also said that Ah Nee shot at the teenager's brother, Mark Skyap, who was also in the car.

While Rankine was charged with first-degree manslaughter, Burbank and Collins were held for second-degree murder.

Marks sustained gunshots in his right shoulder and right hand. Fredeluces also fired one shot at Iremamber, but he missed. Authorities relayed that the shootings were not provoked.

A

statement relayed that the evidence showed no civilians on the sidewalk or anyone around that could have been endangered by Iremamber's driving.

To this effect, the statement read that evidence gives credence to the speculation that the defendants' option of deadly force was not necessary and unjustifiable by the law.

The body camera gave a detailed look into the incident, but it was not released for public viewing. The three officers are to face a mandatory 20 years imprisonment without parole if convicted.

Last month three Tacoma officers, Christopher Burbank, Matthew Collins, and Timothy Rankine, were granted bail set at $100,000 following the charges levied against them concerning the death of Michael Ellis.

Both the attorneys of the officers and Ellis' family showed dissatisfaction at this. The attorney for Rankine called it "ridiculous." While Rankine was charged with first-degree manslaughter, Burbank and Collins were held for second-degree murder.