Schweitzer brothers are again
charged in the 1991 rape and murder
of Dana Ireland

By Rod Thompson
Star-Bulletin

HILO -- A grand jury indictment of brothers Shawn and Albert Ian Schweitzer in the murder of Dana Ireland suggests that a fourth person, in addition to co-suspect Frank Pauline Jr., was involved in the attack on her.

That could provide an explanation for DNA evidence found on a hospital sheet where Ireland lay dying. Authorities have not been able to link the DNA to any of the suspects or to other people linked to the case.

In the previous indictment, dismissed in October, the Schweitzer brothers were accused of committing crimes against Ireland "with another (person)." That other person was understood to be Pauline, who had also been indicted in the case.

He is to be tried separately from the Schweitzers starting June 14.

The new indictment says the brothers committed the crimes "with others," suggesting Pauline and at least one other person.

The theory of a fourth person being involved in the Christmas Eve 1991 attack on Ireland was made public in February.

Deputy Prosecutor Lincoln Ashida said in a document, "Police and prosecution have consistently believed a fourth person may have been present and participated."

Who the person is, and whether authorities expect to charge him, have not been revealed.

Lead prosecutor Charlene Iboshi said today, "I'm not at liberty to say. It will come out during the course of the trial."

The reference to a fourth person in the new indictment could give prosecutors greater freedom in explaining to the jury why the DNA on the sheet does not match that of the suspects.

The new indictment accuses Shawn Schweitzer, 23, and Albert Ian Schweitzer, 27, of murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault, the same charges they previously faced.

Those are the same charges as Pauline, 25, faces in June.

A trial date for the Schweitzers hasn't been set yet. "I don't expect these guys to be tried before Christmas," John Ireland, Dana Ireland's father, said from his home in Virginia.

The new indictment again charges the brothers of failure to render aid to Ireland. Judge Riki May Amno has twice thrown out a previous "murder by omission" charge.

The previous indictment said the brothers sexually assaulted Ireland. The new indictment says they either had sex with her or aided others, agreed with them, or planned with them to have sex with her.

In 1994, Pauline told police he was with the Schweitzers when Albert Ian ran down Dana Ireland with his car.

He said they threw her into the trunk, raped her, drove her to a back road, beat her, and abandoned her.

She died at midnight at Hilo Hospital as Christmas Day began.

The Schweitzers' case was thrown into limbo in October when Deputy Prosecutor Iboshi dropped previous charges because of "new and unforeseen circumstances."

Albert Ian Schweitzer is being held without bail in the Hawaii Community Correctional Center on an unrelated sexual assault charge.

On the strength of rulings made last year before the Ireland-related charges were dropped, Judge Amano yesterday ordered Shawn Schweitzer, who is living on Oahu, to be arrested and also held without bail.