Day 4: Prosecution raises race as issue in Deedy trial

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Prosecutor Janice Futa questioned U. S. Special Agent Ben Finkelstein about warning Christopher Deedy not to be "lulled into a false sense of security" in Hawaii.

Deedy and Finkelstein were in Hawaii in 2011 to provide security for the APEC summit "There are some people who dislike the federal government and dislike mainlanders," Finkelstein recalled telling Deedy.

He said he told Deedy that "locals" sometimes refer to caucasians as "F---- Haoles."

Pressed by the prosecutor he said he likened the term to "the 'N' word."

Deedy is charged with murdering Kolln Elderts in the early morning hours of Nov. 5, 2011 during a scuffle in a Waikiki McDonald's.

He said he shot Elderts, 23, in self defense.

Finkelstein also said Special Agents make personal decisions to carry their weapons off-duty to be prepared to deal with emergencies.

Deedy's defense claims he was coming to the aid of McDonald's customer Michel Perrine.

Perrine testified that Elderts did talk to him as they waited to order their food.

"I do remember the word Haole. That's the only thing that sticks out;" he testified.

But Perrine said he did not feel threatened by Elderts and was never asked by Deedy if he needed help.

He said he was startled to see Deedy's gun but doesn't remember shots being fired.

He said the words spoken to him by Elderts should not have "resulted in someone being shot. "

But defense attorney Karl Blanke said Perrine originally told police he did not see a physical confrontation between Deedy and Elderts.

The jury was shown cell phone video taken by a bystander after the shooting. It shows Deedy appearing to administer first aid to Elderts.

"He seemed very calm, as if he knew what he was doing," Perrine said.

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