Not guilty, says suspect
in photographer's death

Trial for Luther ‘Hoppy' Nineu Jr.
set for first week of September

By Star-Bulletin staff

The Mililani man charged in the Nov. 3 death of Honolulu Advertiser photojournalist Carl Viti pleaded not guilty yesterday in Circuit Court.

Trial for Luther "Hoppy" Niheu Jr. was set for the week of Sept. 2.

Niheu, 28, faces the felony charge of failing to render aid, for which he could receive a sentence ranging from probation to 10 years in prison.

He also faces charges of third-degree negligent homicide, a misdemeanor that means he caused a death by simple negligence, and driving without a license.

Viti, 52, was killed on Kamehameha Highway near Wheeler Army Air Field on his bicycle. Witnesses said Niheu left the scene of the accident to go for help but never returned.

Police found Niheu's car at the bottom of a ravine on the Poamoho Trail near the Helemano Military Reservation.

Niheu, who has a history of spouse and drug abuse, surrendered to police Nov. 18 and was released pending investigation.

An Oahu grand jury indicted him 228 days after the incident. He is free on $50,000 bail.