Anger Counselor Accused Of Punching Client

An anger-management counselor lost his temper and allegedly punched a man who arrived at a class drunk. The man lapsed into a coma and was declared brain dead.

Charles Mahuka, who was on parole for attempted murder, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting 32-year-old Miguel Gonzales at a meeting Monday night at a church in Waianae.

Dora Hoopii-Spalding, a witness, said Mahuka, 39, punched Gonzales, knocked him to the ground and hit him three more times while he was down. Gonzales was drunk and ignoring requests to stop being disruptive, she said.