HONOLULU (KHON2) — The vote on the lawsuit settlement in the Lindani Myeni case has been canceled and removed from the full council agenda after being postponed in October.
The $1.5 million wrongful death lawsuit sought to resolve claims brought by Myeniʻs widow, who maintains that his shooting death was unjustified.
The lawsuit, initiated by Lindsay Myeni, argued that HPD officers acted recklessly and without justification, as her husband was unarmed when he was shot while police responded to a burglary call.
The police chief and prosecuting attorney argued at an earlier council meeting that the officers acted in self-defense, maintaining that no wrongdoing occurred.
“As Council Chair, I have decided to cancel the upcoming vote on the proposed lawsuit settlement, shifting the matter to the judiciary system, where it rightly belongs. This decision reflects the Council’s commitment to allowing legal experts to address the facts and merits of a civil case in court versus at a legislative hearing. The Council recognizes the importance of upholding judicial due process and believes that the courtroom is the most suitable setting to ensure a fair and transparent examination of these facts.
During our last Full Council meeting in October, the discussion around the Myeni case escalated, turning the Honolulu City Council meeting at Kapolei Hale into what resembled a heated civil trial, with speakers presenting passionate arguments and facts from both sides. It is clear that the legal framework and procedural safeguards of the judiciary system are best equipped to handle this matter. I will not permit these public hearings to devolve into a spectacle for grandstanding or serve as a substitute for a court of law,” Tommy Waters, Honolulu City Council Chair said in a statement.