Hawaii
In tearful testimony, woman describes day she believed alleged crime boss killed her boyfriend
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – It was the most dramatic day so far of the federal Mike Miske organized crime trial. On Thursday, in tearful testimony, 29-year-old Ashley Wong described the day in 2016 she believed Miske had kidnapped and killed her boyfriend — Johnathan Fraser.
Witnesses say Miske blamed Fraser for the death of his son, Caleb, in a crash.
Miske is charged with killing Fraser as part of a federal racketeering conspiracy.
There has never been any physical evidence of what happened to Fraser, but Wong said she believes believes the father of her child was kidnapped and murdered by Miske after he lulled the couple into a sense of security, providing free housing and a car after Caleb’s death.
The final gift was a spa day for Wong; she believes it was to get her out of the way.
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Wong arrived at federal court Thursday wearing a big smile and carrying a “Justice for Johnny” tshirt. She had been campaigning for justice since August 2016, when she taped posters around the island seeking any sign of her missing boyfriend. Fraser survived the crash that killed Caleb.
In 2016, she told Hawaii News Now that even though Fraser was still recovering from his injuries and depression, he wasn’t suicidal or likely to run off. “He was just really blessed to be alive at this point because the accident was really bad and we are expecting,” she said.
“His main goal was pretty much to recover and to become better than he was before.”
On the witness stand, Wong said on July 30, 2016, Miske gifted her and Caleb’s wife, Delia, a spa day at Ko Olina. But she became more worried and frantic when she couldn’t reach Fraser all day.
By evening, when friends couldn’t find him, she concluded they’d been set up for a kidnapping.
“To me, this wasn’t happening. There was no freaking way,” she said. “Why would he give us that car? Why would he put us in the house? Why did I not see all these things? I was pissed off. It came to me instantly — all of the red flags that anybody could have seen.”
During a frantic search that evening, she drove to Miske’s home in Kailua at nearly midnight, hoping Fraser might be there. She found the house was dark and deserted so she called Miske.
“When he answered the phone I asked him if he knew where John was,” she said.
“But before that, I asked him where he was. He told me that he was at home. I didn’t believe that,” she said, adding that the carport was empty and the house was dark.
After she began a social media campaign to find Fraser, Miske sent her an all-caps text that warned her to stop encouraging people to believe Caleb Miske was the driver in the accident.
She said she felt threatened.
She also testified she was told to leave the home Miske paid for shortly after Fraser disappeared.
Wong said after Fraser disappeared she began recording phone calls with Miske. One played in court Thursday included him telling her that he didn’t want police in the condo without him or Delia standing by. She said she hoped one day the recordings would be evidence against him.
After two days on the stand, she faces cross examination Friday by defense attorneys who deny Miske had anything to do with Fraser’s disappearance.
So far in the trial, there has been no eyewitness or physical evidence of what happened to Fraser.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
With jolly festivities in full swing, how are you celebrating the holidays? Share your photos!
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – With family and friends celebrating the holidays, Hawaii News Now wants to see how you are making the most of the jolly festivities.
From house decorations and shining lights to unwrapping presents and spending time with loved ones, share your photos by submitting them below!
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
Plane crash under investigation on Hawaii Island
WAIMEA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Federal investigators are looking into what caused a plane to crash on Hawaii Island Monday.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirms it is looking into what caused a Cessna to go down at Parker Ranch in Waimea shortly before noon.
Investigators said preliminary information indicated the plane experienced a loss of engine power.
A witness said two people walked away from the aircraft on their own. No one was hurt.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
Hawaii Bowl announcers Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker get rare moment in spotlight
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring … and the only sports on TV was the Hawaii Bowl on ESPN.
The Christmas Eve game pitting South Florida (6-6) against San Jose State (7-5) didn’t bring the same energy as a major bowl, but when you’re the only live major sporting event on U.S. TV, fans will take notice.
On social media, the matchup generated surprising buzz for a minor bowl game.
People treating the Hawaii bowl tonight like it’s the Super Bowl
— Zlatni Topki (@ZlatniTopki) December 24, 2024
Out in Honolulu, ESPN had play-by-play announcer Tiffany Greene and color analyst Jay Walker on the game, and the pair, who have worked together for years, made the most of their moment in the spotlight.
Greene, who was the first African-American woman to serve as a play-by-play commentator for college football on a major network, had the opportunity to call some big plays, including this kickoff return touchdown by South Florida’s Ta’Ron Keith.
Tiffany Green was VERY amped up about this kick return touchdown and later replay of the big play from USF returner Ta’Ron Keith. pic.twitter.com/FkHDlaYBPK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 25, 2024
And here’s Greene on a big interception early in the game.
USF forces an interception that would later result in points and a 14-0 lead over San Jose State.
Tiffany Greene and Jay Walker on the call of the Hawai’i Bowl on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/eMyo4aHsXn
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 25, 2024
Unfortunately, everything did not go smoothly for Greene and Walker. Of particular concern, Walker’s audio sounded consistently muddy, as if he were doing the broadcast remotely.
Are they actually there? Her co host literally sounds like he’s on a zoom call
— HuskerJim (@jimtheplumber63) December 25, 2024
Others on social media were even less charitable in their comments on the announcers.
This is a horrible announcing crew. This is not a high profile game, but as the only one on Cmas Eve, likely with a decent audience of folks looking for distractions, why this crew & not a better one? Why not put these guys on one of the midday workday games with less eyes/ears?
— Justin Firesheets (@JFiresheets) December 25, 2024
Yet some fans were left wanting to hear more of Greene and Walker in the future.
Tiffany is awesome! She has the spunk of Gus & a little of Beth Mowins when she announces CFB👍
— Herbie Garcia (@herbieg55) December 25, 2024
[ESPN]
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