2 years later, family of suspect in brutal beating death is still pleading for answers

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Unanswered questions are lingering in the case of a woman brutally beaten to death on the steps of the Kapolei Police Station two years ago.

HNN has confirmed an officer at the center of the incident is trying to get her job back — as the suspect’s family presses for change to prevent another senseless death.

After being fired in February, HPD confirms Officer Sandy Cesar is appealing her termination.

She’s accused of ignoring a request to help the victim minutes before she was killed.

The department won’t say if her dismissal had anything to do with victim Linda Johnson’s murder in 2022, calling it a pending personnel matter.

HNN Investigates

Meanwhile, those closest to the case are calling on government agencies for answers.

The suspect’s father, Tony Armstrong, said he believes other people need to face consequences.

“I can’t imagine it’s just the fault of one person,” he said, referring to the officer who was fired.

“What kind of support did she have there at the police station? If she was there all by herself, who was supposed to come to her aid?”

‘Almost unbearable’

For more than two years, Armstrong has carried the shame of his son Michae’s actions.

“We feel for Linda Johnson’s family,” said Tony Armstrong.

“I mean, knowing our son took someone’s life is something we have to live with everyday. And it’s frequently very difficult. And almost unbearable to deal with.”

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• Caregivers: Woman’s ‘horrible’ murder outside Kapolei police station was preventable

The 48-year-old victim and the man accused of killing her both suffered many years with mental illness. Both had also recently been locked up by HPD at the Kapolei Police Station — and then released.

“If our son had been sent back to the State Hospital again we would not be where we’re at today,” said Armstrong, referring to the state psychiatric facility in Kaneohe.

Long before the tragedy on the steps of the police station, it was evident Michael Armstrong needed help. In 2007, a crime spree prompted a judge to send him to the State Hospital. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

In the years that followed, Armstrong bounced in and out of treatment.

Records show that the day before the killing, he was arrested for attacking a worker at his care home and punching a police officer.

After spending about a day in jail, Armstrong was set free.

He’s accused of murdering Johnson minutes after his release.

‘I contacted everyone I could think’

For two years, Tony Armstrong has been pushing for answers, trying to find out why Cesar — the fired officer — allegedly ignored a bystander’s plea for help just before Johnson was killed.

He also wants to know who made the call to put his mentally ill son, who had repeatedly shown a propensity of violence, back on the streets.

“In the beginning and for many months after that terrible day I contacted everyone that I could think possible from the governor, down to the lieutenant governor, senators, legislators. And virtually no one ever responded,” said Tony Armstrong.

It’s that statement that prompted HNN Investigates to ask HPD, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and the State Hospital what — if any — changes were made following Johnson’s death.

Two weeks later, we haven’t gotten a response from Honolulu Police.

A Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson said the department “cannot comment at this time because the man charged with murder for allegedly killing Linda Johnson has not yet gone to trial.”

Meanwhile, State Hospital staff said “the Department of Health had conducted an internal review and determined that no changes to its policies or procedures were indicated.”

‘We don’t want other families to suffer’

Tony Armstrong said he’s disappointed by the inaction, but he’s not giving up.

“The lack of any response or accountability, or accepting consequences for all of the people involved or agencies involved is just deplorable in my mind,” he said.

He remains steadfast in his belief the system is broken.

“We don’t want any other families to ever have to suffer something like this,” he said.

No date has been set for Michael Armstrong’s trial. Last month, a judge ordered the 37-year-old to continue mental health treatment until his next hearing in June.

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