Sixth amendment
Constitutional rights, or lack thereof, are a matter of life and death.
Image: [panoriamio.com]
Oct
21
Joseph Kahahawai, Bartolomeo Vanzetti, Ruben Cantu: Their paths never crossed but their names all elicit the same chilling reminder that our justice system is imperfect and that “innocent until proven guilty” is a Constitutional protection that doesn’t always protect. Locally, Kahahawai is known for his connection to the notorious Massie trial–a 1930s case in which he and four others were accused of rape. Despite the declaration of mistrial after the case fell apart, a group of people convened by the victim’s mother allegedly murdered Kahahawai. The trial remains a springboard for discussion of justice and racial bias in the law. That discussion continues tonight, as a group of writers, professors and other scholars re-examine the case and its aftermath both at the time and in modern Hawaii.
