Jonathan Kang Lee was Charged with the Premeditated Murder of Cabbie Nicholas Hokema
It look over five months but finally the US Army has charged the prime (and only suspect), Specialist Lee, with the murder of Lacey, Washington RediCab driver, Nick Hokema. In addition to murder, Lee has also been charged with robbery, resisting arrest, desertion, wrongful use of a controlled substance and two counts of failure to obey a lawful order. In the various news reports I have read, I think one of them reported that he is facing the death penalty. Whatever the consequences, it is unlikely that Lee will ever be released from prison, having already been sentenced for 64 years for sexually assaulting two children. Both the sexual crimes and the murder occurred off-base, making it somewhat unusual that he was tried in a military and not in a civilian court. This trend continues.
The news I am waiting for is the announcement of a settlement with Hokema's survivors. By not keeping Lee in custody while awaiting trial for the sex crimes, the US Army clearly holds some legal liability for Hokema's murder. There is not any real reason why Nick Hokema isn't alive today other than the US Army's incompetence in their pretrial approach to Lee. The Army should have known better. And hopefully, now they do.
Is Everyone Ready to Sue the City of Seattle?
Last week's blog post concerning the Ottawa, Canada lawsuit generated some interest and readership but will it encourage active participation is something I of yet can't answer. I believe this time we have a much more winnable issue than when we sued King County over Green Cab medallion issuance. At least one person believes it could be viable. I certainly believe it holds that potential. If anyone is interested in getting together with other cabbies and talking about it, please send me an email and I will try to organize something. jbyello@yahoo.com. Include your telephone number.
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