Big Isle
murder suspect’s
trial delayed again
Frank Pauline Jr. is charged in
By Rod Thompson
the Dana Ireland murder case
Star-BulletinHILO -- The trial of Frank Pauline Jr. for the 1991 murder of Big Island visitor Dana Ireland will be delayed until next year, a move Ireland's parents say will be stressful for them but is understandable.
"I'm disgusted. We feel helpless and hopeless," said Louise Ireland, the victim's mother, via telephone after this morning's ruling delaying trial until March 1.
"I'll be dead before this is over," she added. "I won't see any justice in the world."
Her husband, John, said, "I understand why they're doing this, but it is really frustrating."
Judge Riki May Amano noted that this is the second time the trial has been delayed, but said she had no choice but to grant defense attorney Clifford Hunt's request for more time to prepare for trial.
Hunt took over Pauline's defense in January after two previous defense attorneys were disqualified. Until today Pauline's trial had been set for July 27.
Pauline, 25, is one of three men accused of hitting Ireland, 23, with their car on Christmas Eve 1991 in a rural area south of Hilo. They are charged with kidnapping for taking her to another site, sexually assaulting her and leaving her to die.
Also charged, but to be tried separately from Pauline, are brothers Albert Ian Schweitzer, 26, and Shawn Schweitzer, 22. Their trial is set for Nov. 2.
In a document, Hunt noted prosecutors have had six years to prepare for trial.
Deputy Prosecutor Charlene Iboshi objected to the delay. But she said she spoke with the Irelands before today's hearing, and they recognized that failure to give the defense adequate time to prepare could result in a guilty verdict being overturned on appeal.
Speaking from his Virginia home after today's hearing, John Ireland said he accepted the outcome but thinks it's part of defense tactics to introduce repeated delays. "I understand the mentality of defense attorneys now. I've seen too much of it," he said.
Amano also set an alternative plan in case the Schweitzers' trial is delayed, saying Pauline's would be moved forward to that November slot. And she set Aug. 24 for Pauline's trial on two counts of sexual assault not related to the Ireland case.
