DANA IRELAND:
Killed on
Christmas Eve in 1991.
Ireland murder
suspect says he
isn’t guilty
The Family Court steps in
By Rod Thompson
because he was 16 at the
time of the slaying
Star-BulletinHILO -- The attorney for a Big Island man believed to be a suspect in the 1991 kidnapping, rape and murder of Dana Ireland says his client is not guilty. Attorney Ira Leitel made the statement regarding Shawn Schweitzer, 21, outside Family Court yesterday. "He insists steadfastly on his innocence," he said.
Ireland, 23, was riding her bicycle in the Big Island's Kapoho area on Christmas Eve 1991, when she was apparently struck by a vehicle, then carried to a remote area, raped and left to die.
A resident of Waa Waa found Ireland, badly injured but still alive, even before her damaged bicycle was found four miles away. But because of the lack of telephones in the remote area and mix-ups in the police and paramedic responses, several hours passed before she got medical attention. She died about midnight at Hilo Hospital.
There have been periodic reports of new leads and grand jury meetings, but no charges have been filed.
Leitel said state law prevents him from commenting on specific matters occurring in Family Court.
But he said that, in general, the law requires any person suspected of a crime, even if he or she is well into adulthood, to be handled first by Family Court if the suspect was a minor at the time of the crime.
Schweitzer was 16 at the time, he said.
Leitel stressed that Schweitzer has not been charged.
"Nobody has been charged with anything," he said.
County Deputy Prosecutor Charlene Iboshi, who is handling the case, declined comment.
Leitel began representing Schweitzer three years ago when an inmate in state prison for sexual assault told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald that he informed police he was present when two brothers attacked Ireland. He later denied he was there.
Leitel was listed then in court documents as representing a client described only as "John Doe."
Leitel said he is aware that Schweitzer's brother has also been described as a suspect. But Leitel doesn't represent him and said he doesn't even know whether the man has an attorney.
Schweitzer has never been in trouble with the law, Leitel said. He was a high school athlete who now works at a resort. He is married and has three children, Leitel said. "This has been a traumatic three years for this young man."
Police have taken samples of his blood, saliva and hair, and made impressions of his teeth. "None of all this shows anything," he said.
Leitel said prosecutors are under pressure, since the statute of limitations runs out on rape and kidnapping charges if they aren't filed by December.
There is no statute of limitation for murder.
