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Oahu woman gets 5 years for child abuse

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Oahu woman gets 5 years for child abuse 

Associated Press 

HONOLULU (AP) _ An Oahu woman who claims she is Hawaiian royalty has been sentenced to five years for abusing three children in her care.

Prosecutors argued 52-year-old Rita Makekau deserved 41 years behind bars. But Circuit Judge Virginia Crandall imposed the lighter punishment.

Three victims said in written statements that they were beaten, starved and threatened with death over four years.

Makekau declined comment other than to stress she should be called ``Her Royal Highness'' because she considers herself the ``Royal Minister of Foreign Affairs'' for a Hawaiian sovereignty group.

She plans to appeal the case, arguing that as a Native Hawaiian she is not subject to the jurisdiction of state courts.

www.kpua.net
2008 Nov 22