HI Radio: Homeless Man Arrested In Sportscaster's Death

John Noland

Longtime Honolulu sportscaster John Noland died Friday from injuries he sustained when he was assaulted in Chinatown the previous weekend, according to The Star-Advertiser citing confirmation from the victim's daughter Alana Noland confirmed Friday.

While a 58-year-old homeless man was arrested for allegedly attacking Noland, police said that initial indications suggest his critical injuries may have been the result of the fall after he was struck rather than from blows he sustained — “based on his injuries.”

Noland, 60, had been on life support at The Queen’s Medical Center, where he was taken after he was found unresponsive with a head injury on the sidewalk.

Mark Coleman

Police arrested Mark A. Coleman on Thursday night on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder in connection with Noland’s attack, and on two counts of criminal contempt of court. Coleman has not been charged.

Honolulu CrimeStoppers Coordinator Sgt. Chris Kim said police determined Noland was assaulted, after reviewing footage from surveillance video from a nearby business establishment.

It was only during the investigation that police “discovered that the male was actually involved in an altercation … where he was struck several times, he fell and hit his head,” Ozeki said. It did not appear that the victim threw any blows himself, he said.

Noland formerly worked at KHON2 and OC16 television stations among others, and at various radio stations.