DNA analysis rules out
Ireland death suspectsPauline scheduled to take stand
By Dana Williams
Star-BulletinHILO -- By analyzing sperm found years after Dana Ireland was raped and murdered, scientists have developed a genetic profile of a man who may have been involved in the attack.
But the profile doesn't match any of the suspects in the case.
Forensic scientist Lisa M. Calandro said she examined DNA from sperm found on a sheet where Ireland lay dying, as well as sperm from vaginal swabs collected from Ireland.
The results showed that the sperm samples came from the same person, Calandro said. Both samples had the same genetic markers, and collectively, those markers could be used to identify the man who left the sperm.
Calandro testified yesterday in the trial of Frank Pauline Jr., who is charged in the Christmas Eve 1991 slaying of Ireland. Ireland was riding her bicycle in Puna when she was hit by a car, kidnapped, beaten, raped and left to die.
Results of DNA tests conducted in the case were posted on large charts in front of the jury yesterday, showing how the genetic markers of suspects were different from the genetic markers found in DNA from the sperm. In addition to those charged in the case, samples were collected from others who had been under investigation and from Ireland's boyfriend.
Defense attorney Clifford Hunt noted the chart detailing the genetic profile from the sperm.
"That's a human being somewhere, right?" he asked.
"Yes," Calandro answered.
"But it ain't Frank Pauline Jr.," he said.
"That's correct," she answered.
"Nor is it (Albert) Ian Schweitzer, nor is it Shawn Schweitzer," he said.
"Correct,"Calandro said.
"Nor is it any of the other people you tested," Hunt said.
"Correct," Calandro answered.
The swabs were taken from Ireland's body after an ambulance brought her to Hilo Hospital. The sheet was taken from the ambulance gurney.
Although FBI examiners found evidence of sperm on the swabs, the sample was not large enough to extract DNA.
Working for the defense in 1998, scientist Edward T. Blake collected samples from the sheet, which had been overlooked by FBI examiners. Blake found sperm, and prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to turn the evidence over to an independent lab for more tests.
Last year the sheet and swabs were sent to Forensic Analytical in Hayward, Calif., Calandro's lab. In addition to analyzing the sperm on the sheet, Calandro extracted DNA from the swabs by using a technique that wasn't available to the FBI earlier in the decade.
Deputy Prosecutor Lincoln Ashida asked Calandro if it would have been possible for other sperm to have been present, but not detected, in Ireland's body.
"It's possible, yes," Calandro said.
HILO -- Frank Pauline Jr. is expected to take the witness stand today to explain his confessions about the murder of Dana Ireland. Pauline scheduled to
By Dana Williams
take witness standStar-Bulletin
In 1994, Pauline, serving a prison sentence for an unrelated sexual assault, said he was present when Ireland was killed. He later said he participated in the attack, and then recanted his confession. In 1997, he was indicted on charges of murder, sexual assault and kidnapping.
Court will recess tomorrow, as attorneys travel to Michigan to conduct a videotaped interview with Dr. Werner Spitz. Spitz, a former Detroit coroner, has sat on the commissions looking into the assassination of President Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Monday, the videotape of Spitz will be played for the jury, and jurors are scheduled to view the Volkswagen Beetle allegedly used to run over Ireland.
To read about Frank Pauline Jr.'s testimony this afternoon, check Breaking News this evening.
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