DNA tests fail
to link suspect to
Ireland, attorney says
The prosecutor says her
By Rod Thompson
office will not object to the defense's
request for a short delay in the
trial of Frank Pauline Jr.
Star-BulletinHILO -- New DNA tests show that none of the hairs found on the clothing of 1991 murder victim Dana Ireland match suspect Frank Pauline Jr., his attorney Clifford Hunt said in a court document.
Jury selection in the expected eight-week trial of Pauline on kidnapping, rape and murder charges was set to begin this coming Monday, but Hunt cites the DNA evidence as one of several reasons for delaying the trial.
In a written response, Deputy Prosecutor Charlene Iboshi saysher office will not object to a short delay.
Hunt's request for a delay will be heard by Judge Riki May Amano Monday morning.
Ireland, 23, was attacked in a remote area of Puna and abandoned on the afternoon of Dec. 24, 1991.
She died at Hilo Hospital at midnight.
Hunt's motion notes that tests done in October found that the DNA in sperm cells found on the hospital sheet where Ireland lay did not match Pauline or two previous suspects.
On Feb. 11, Hunt received the results of new tests done in December, he wrote.
The results shows hairs on Ireland's clothing also do not match any of the three men.
Iboshi's written response says lack of hair from Pauline doesn't mean he was not present when Ireland was attacked.
Police have previously testified that Pauline confessed to being present with two others and to attacking Ireland with a tire iron, although he denied raping her.
Hunt, who took over the case a year ago when a previous attorney was found to have a conflict, said he hasn't had time to review all of 5,300 pages of material given him by the prosecution under court rules.
He said he also needs more time to check on matters such as police failing to investigate other suspects. Iboshi's response says police did thoroughly investigate other suspects, which Hunt will see when he finishes reading the 5,300 pages.
Court files show search warrants have been issued for possible additional suspects who were ordered to provide hair samples and samples of the bite marks of their teeth.
Bite marks were found on Ireland's body, and authorities have indicated such marks can be used to identify suspects.
Police recently located three men wanted in the Ireland case, but the judge's order regarding hair and bite marks is locked in court, so no confirmation has been made public that the men were wanted for the bite and hair samples.
