State plans investigation in Xerox shootings

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Sunday, May 21, 2000 | 2:38 a.m.

The investigation will begin as soon as the murder trial of Byran Uyesugi ends and is expected to take several months, said Jennifer Shishido, administrator of the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The agency could cite the company on specific violations if it finds that Xerox mishandled the situation, Shishido said.

Uyesugi is on trial in Circuit Court on charges that he killed the seven co-workers. His attorneys say he should be acquitted by reason of insanity.

Defense attorney Rodney Ching said Xerox knew Uyesugi collected guns, that he sometimes acted violently and made threats that he might kill colleagues, and that a corporate executive documented in 1993 that Uyesugi's potential for violence was high, Ching said.

Xerox sent Uyesugi to mental health professionals after he kicked in an elevator door in 1993, but the defense claims the company didn't follow up with treatment.