Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor
Kelly Greenwell will have to wait a little longer for that day in court. Greenwell, the North Kona councilman who is fighting three charges resulting from a July traffic stop, now is scheduled to go on trial Oct. 26 in front of Third Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra.
Greenwell was charged with refusing to stop his vehicle, refusing to produce documentation and resisting arrest. The confrontation with a police officer followed a July 17 traffic stop on Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Police have said Greenwell was traveling at 51 mph in a 35 mph zone; Greenwell maintains he was not going that fast and was poorly treated by the arresting officer.
The Kona councilman, who is up for reelection, has said he wants his day in court and wants police recruits to have additional training in how to deal with confrontational situations and to show more aloha when dealing with the public.
After his court appearance Tuesday, Greenwell said he is a little disappointed in the delay, but his attorney, Honolulu-based Eric Seitz, has a schedule conflict. Greenwell also said Seitz’ schedule may necessitate a further delay.
“Of course, the sooner this is heard, the better,” Greenwell said. “But I want this properly.”
Greenwell previously has said he was mistreated by police, including being denied his epilepsy medication and being unreasonably held in a hot, enclosed police car.
Police have maintained the arresting officer acted within department standards and did nothing wrong.