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Hawk loses temper, shoves Sentinel photographer

Dave Hawk lost his temper.

In a burst of anger, Hawk -- a prime suspect in his wife's murder and now a defendant in a fraud and child porn case -- shoved Sentinel photographer Gary Feinstein in the face this morning outside the Kings County courtroom and yelled, "Get away from me."

Bespectacled Feinstein fixed his glasses and told Hawk, "I'm just doing my job."

Stone-faced Hawk, flanked by his attorney Mark Coleman, then walked away from the court ignoring the media pursuit.

The attack occurred despite the presence of district attorney's investigators, sheriff's deputies and members of the press who attended his pretrial this morning.




Feinstein was aiming his camera at Hawk when the incident occurred. His attorney was talking to the other members of the media.

Assistant District Attorney Larry Crouch, who is prosecuting Hawk, said he will press charges against Hawk in the courthouse assault.

"We can't ignore it, especially since it was witnessed by our staff," Crouch said, as he took the names of the civilian witnesses. "There's no question about that."

Hawk, 49, a Lemoore farmer, is facing 10 felony charges stemming from the alleged theft and embezzlement from his children's trust fund and one misdemeanor charge of possessing child pornography.

Hawk was arrested and charged in June -- nearly a year after the disappearance of his ex-wife Debbie Hawk.

Although the prime suspect by police in the disappearance and probable death of his ex-wife, Hawk is not charged in connection with her case.

On Monday, the court set Hawk's preliminary hearing for Dec. 13.

Preliminary hearing is a mini-trial in which prosecutors lay out a barebones case, normally with a few testimonies by police investigators.

Prosecutors say the criminal charges against Hawk resulted from investigation into Debbie Hawk's disappearance.

The financial charges allege that Dave Hawk used his children's trust assets for his living expenses, and lied about his income on court documents during child custody and support hearings.

Hawk is suspected of having stolen more than $300,000 from the trust. He also allegedly failed to report the income and sale of trust assets on his taxes.

In addition, police seized Hawk's computer on June 30, and the child pornography statute only lasts a year.

Authorities are still intent upon solving the mystery of Debbie Hawk's death, and the investigation is still ongoing.

Debbie Hawk's friends, who attended today's court proceedings, expressed shock after witnessing Hawk's attack on the newspaper photographer.

"We were surprised," said Sandra Lackey, a Stanislaus County resident and a long-time friend of Debbie Hawk.

"Why would you do that in front of all these witnesses? Yet, it's obvious that he has anger management issues."

With $80,000 reward money at hand, friends of Debbie Hawk are still looking for information that could lead to the discovery of her body and prosecution of the suspect.

They say their efforts are about bringing home Debbie Hawk.

"Finding Debbie is not about Dave so much but about bringing her home and giving her kids a closure and giving us a closure and giving the community peace," said Eliza Carlson of Hanford. "We also believe whoever did this to Debbie must be held responsible."

The reporter can be reached at 582-0471, ext. 3059.

(Oct. 1, 2007)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

Friend of Debbie's wrote on Oct 1, 2007 12:26 PM:

" Knowing Dave Hawk as well as we do........this is just one of the few incidents where he has lost his temper. His kids have been subjected to it ALL THEIR LIVES!!! Come on Dave....tell us what you did with Debbie after you "lost your temper" over the Child Support case! "

Nadine wrote on Oct 1, 2007 12:35 PM:

" Concur wholly with Eliza Carlson. BRING DEBBIE HOME! Someone KNOWS............................... "

Luna wrote on Oct 1, 2007 1:44 PM:

" Hey Dave Hawk - pick on someone your own size, you idiot. I wish you would have shoved me - you'd have gotten knocked out! "

BJMallory wrote on Oct 1, 2007 1:45 PM:

" You ok, Sparky? Next time, call me - I'll go with you and if he tries that again he'll find out what a little woman like me does to bullies. You listening, Dave? "

BPratt wrote on Oct 1, 2007 2:01 PM:

" Thats not what i saw. I saw a photographer trying to take pictures of Mr Hawk and then come up behind him and reach around putting the camera in his face. I saw Mr Hawk push the camera away and say "please leave me alone - will ya." Who attacks who here? "

Hanford Native wrote on Oct 1, 2007 2:42 PM:

" I know who you are Pratt, but obviously you didn't see or HEAR what everyone else did...but hey, tell it to the judge. Mr, Hawk will have his day in court...innocent until proven guilty...like all those other "alleged charges". Poor Dave...yet again, THE VICTIM! "

Old Timer wrote on Oct 1, 2007 3:13 PM:

" "Too Bad the Rev. Brown wasn't there to protect Dave from 'Vicious Sparky' also known as the Hanford Paparazzi" "

a bystander wrote on Oct 1, 2007 3:30 PM:

" Such a violent act over such a small incident - sure makes you wonder what hell Debbie went through before she died. I have no doubt about the final resting place for Debbie's soul - nor do I have any doubt about where Dave's soul will end up. "

?? wrote on Oct 1, 2007 5:29 PM:

" i am friends with his daughter, and i know that she loves her father. "

Sandra Goff ... wrote on Oct 1, 2007 6:33 PM:

" ...you need someone to watch your back, sweetie? I'd love to take a shot at the little Chicken Hawk....but not with a camera! Hugs and Kisses to you my dear old friend...keep up the great work Gary!! "

to ?? wrote on Oct 1, 2007 9:53 PM:

" Of course they love their father - unfortunately that doesn't make him innocent. I think that is the saddest part in all of this - they lost their mother and now if the truth really comes out they will probably lose their father too. If he is guilty, he is the one who did this to his children. Statistics have proven over and over again these crimes do not just happen - they come from someone who had something to gain. People aren't being killed randomly in Hanford. Be a good friend and support her anyway you can - either way this will be hard on her. "

DannyRust wrote on Oct 1, 2007 10:55 PM:

" I'm not at all a fan of the press, but they do have a job to do and this is a very high profile case in that town. Short of physical obstruction, Mr. Hawk has to realize they will be in his face. But it seems like self-restraint is not one of his strong suits. Now he has more legal problems. Stupid is as stupid does, right? "

WOW! wrote on Oct 2, 2007 4:25 AM:

" I do not know Dave Hawk personally. I do know Gary the photographer and in no way will I believe he touched, pushed or harrassed Dave in anyway,shape,form and any other way to put it. Dave, pick on someone your own size and leave the people alone who earn an honest living. "

To: Dave wrote on Oct 2, 2007 4:29 AM:

" Keep up with your bullying antic's and you"ll end up in state prison for something you should be in there for in the first place. "

just a friend wrote on Oct 2, 2007 7:25 AM:

" of course the kids love thier father!! thats the only parent they have, But.... that does not mean he does not have a violent streak! and he Does!! As friends thats the worst part of this whole thing. The childern are in the middle of everything, even without trying. We love you kids and we want you to know that. "

PDA wrote on Oct 3, 2007 7:22 PM:

" Are you sure Dave Hawk wasn't provoked? I know the Sentinel would not publish a story against their own photographer, who's job is to get the shot. Why was he close enough to get shoved? Or did Dave Hawk run after him? Those facts were not made clear. I'm not backing Hawk's actions at all, but just trying to get all the facts of the situation. "

Jay wrote on Oct 4, 2007 11:39 AM:

" Im not a Hawk fan... but the media needs to back off somtimes. The way they invade a persons private space, and then state "Im only doing my job!" like theyre a little victim, gets old. Use your long lens, and stay away from people, its called social manners! From Princess Diana to Coach Gundy, the media has got the best of many, many people... and the media is never held accountable, they just claim "I was only doing my job!" "

are you kidding? wrote on Oct 4, 2007 1:52 PM:

" So I take it you aren't from Hanford. This photographer has been at ever local event - he is always in the backgrounnd snapping away - not at all the aggressive paparzzi we hear about. Gary probably was doing his job - I have never seen him get too close to anyone while taking their picture - and I have lived in Hanford my whole life. Supposedly there were plenty of witnesses - so I guess it will come out in court. "

what a joke wrote on Oct 4, 2007 2:57 PM:

" First I want to say that I no doubt believe Dave Killed Debbie. However, this is rediculous. Sheriff Jordan has an investigator assigned to this case. Waste of resources, a deputy can do this. I think Jordan is the reason this case wasn't solved by HPD and now he goes after him for this. Also, if Hawk were just walking and the camera man got into his way or put the camera in front of him, Hawkl has every right in the world to push him and the camera away. Fienstien is the one committing the crime by preventing the free movement of Hawk. What about charges against him. We made a mistake with Jordan and believe it or not we were better off with Allen. Assign someone to investigate the murder not this. "

Jordan doing his job wrote on Oct 4, 2007 8:51 PM:

" Jordan is a politician and doing his political job - spin is everything. "

To: What a Joke wrote on Oct 4, 2007 9:55 PM:

" OBVIOUSLY, you don't realize that HPD is the lead investigating agency in Debbie Hawk's homicide case. Secondly, Chris Jordan, not HPD, was the one who was present at the Domestic Violence candlight vigil Thursday night. Hmmm...where was the rep from HPD? Third, an investigator from KCSO has to investigate/interview witnesses involving crimes at the courthouse. Lastly, Gary wasn't in Dave's "space" (and yes, I was there as were many other witnesses)....however, I'm wondering if you, personally, haul off and smack every person who bumps into you. Go back to preschool and learn some manners!! "

impartial wrote on Oct 5, 2007 1:51 AM:

" I have to wonder if any of the people posting coments have ever been harassed by photographers and news crews for a year and a half? Isn't it our job to at least pretend to be impartial. Do we believe in our country's ideal of innocent until proven guilty? I for one believe that to punish an innocent man (he has not been proven guilty of anything) is a much greater sin than to allow it to go unpunished. All the slanderous comments make their way back to his children- and don't help the case against him. Can we just try to leave the man alone, reserve our opinions and let justice take its course? "

To: Impartial wrote on Oct 5, 2007 10:54 AM:

" Your absoutely right! The people getting hurt the most is th Hawk children. It's a shame! Innocent until proven guilty. "

media fan wrote on Oct 5, 2007 1:02 PM:

" This is America...free speech and freedom of the press....gotta love it! One would think that if your attorney decides to make media comments after a hearing, cameras are going to be in your face. This is a high profile case. Sorry...when you make bad decisions, bad things happen. And to answer your question...no, I haven't been harrassed by the media for a year and half. However, for the past year and half...I have wondered where Debbie is and who did this to her and her family. "

Jay wrote on Oct 5, 2007 9:48 PM:

" Hmmm,,, Once again I will state I dont know Dave Hawk, and have never even seen the man in person, but I guess in Hanford you are guilty until proven innocent. Im curious if anyone saw the impartial news piece done by Dateline News on the Hawk case? Per their experts, they think Dave is innocent and telling the truth... Hmmm..... "

Non-Judgemental wrote on Oct 7, 2007 8:32 AM:

" Watch out! Don't push someone! You might be accused of being a murder... "

friend wrote on Oct 7, 2007 8:52 PM:

" Yes I saw the piece on Dateline. Dave also had a year to think about word for word what he was going to say when interviewed. If Dave has nothing to hide why was he not the first in line to pass out flyers, take a lie detector test, assist in the search. Hmmm...an innocent man does not stay at home and does nothing. Yes they were divorced but this is the mother of your children. Personally I owuld not like to be within 100 feet of this man he makes me sick "

To Jay wrote on Oct 7, 2007 10:43 PM:

" Funny I watched it - I believe they thought he was guilty - alexithymic - non emotional - some of his comments were odd. What do I know I'm from Hanford - you know where we assume people are guilty - say what you want - if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck - the darn thing is a duck - no matter how many times you try and dress it up like a chicken. "

to friend wrote on Oct 8, 2007 7:31 PM:

" he took a polygraph and passed it!!! i do know the media in Hanfrord and they are pushy. im glad the photographer got pushed , he should have got knocked out. also this whole county is corrupt. i'm sure Dave is being set up. "

Det. Wilcox wrote on Oct 9, 2007 9:15 AM:

" to BPratt: regarding your Oct 1, 2007 4:01PM blog: I'm trying to contact all parties who were there and witnessed this incident. Please call me at (559)582-3211, ext. 2817. Thank you. "

just a little word wrote on Oct 10, 2007 8:27 AM:

" Unfortunately, you are guilty until proven innocent, and even when you're proven innocent, in some cases, you're still guilty! To all the people who are just going off what they read and hear in the media, you don't have enough information to make ANY call on this. I know for a FACT the media EASILY gets information wrong... and when they are told it's wrong, it seems they don't correct it. The Sentinel is our only local newspaper, so whatever, we deal with it. But I don't think it's fair to make any decisions based solely on media information. Where do I stand on this whole Hawk thing? I just hope justice is served to whoever did this to Debbie. "

LATE NIGHT OWL wrote on Oct 12, 2007 1:19 AM:

" Does anyone REALLY know what happened to Debbie Hawk? So we all just assume who is guilty and get out a rope, metaphorically speaking. Who made us judge and jury, anyway? Let the system work. Why doesn't 'Det. Wilcox' ask the bloggers for clues into Mrs. Hawk's disappearance instead of only the alleged assault on the Sentinel photographer? "




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