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Witness offers new
Ireland scenario
The expert says it appears
By Rod Thompson
Ireland was hit higher
and from the right
Star-BulletinHILO -- Murder victim Dana Ireland was struck by a vehicle on the back of her right hip, medical expert Werner Spitz testified by videotape in the trial of suspect Albert Ian Schweitzer.
Spitz's testimony yesterday could support defense claims that Ireland, 23, was hit by a truck with a high bumper driven by an unknown person.
The prosecution says Ireland was hit by a Volkswagen beetle with a low bumper driven by Schweitzer, 28.
The videotape of Spitz was part of the first day of the defense case.
Prosecutors ended their portion of the case yesterday with testimony from Sandra Ireland, a small, slim, blond woman with striking resemblance to her sister Dana.
Sandra testified she loaned her bicycle to Dana on the afternoon of Dec. 24, 1991, at Kapoho. A few hours later, Sandra found the bicycle on the street leading to her parent's rented home.
"The bike was pretty devastated, all crumpled up on the ground," Sandra said.
Prosecution accident expert Kenneth Baker testified earlier that the bicycle was hit by a vehicle about 13 inches above ground level, knocking Dana onto the street. Other evidence indicates the vehicle returned and ran over her.
In the videotape, originally made for the earlier trial of Schweitzer's fellow suspect, Frank Pauline Jr., Spitz identified himself as a forensic pathologist who has testified about criminal injuries in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Israel.
Spitz said he has testified regarding the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King and for the Mark Goldman family in their lawsuit against football player and accused murderer O. J. Simpson.
Spitz testified he examined evidence regarding Ireland.
"I have finally discovered the place where she was hit: the back of the right hip," he said.
He said he was able to find the place because the force of the collision imprinted the pattern of the fabric of her shorts onto her skin.
However, only the part of the tape showing defense questioning was played. Without prosecution cross-examination, a major discrepancy was left unanswered. Although Spitz found the cloth marks on Ireland's right hip, testimony so far has said she was hit from her left side.
In other testimony, defense accident expert James Campbell said he found no damage on the low metal "apron" at the front of Schweitzer's Volkswagen. He suggested it would have been damaged if it ran over a bicycle.
Defense attorney James Biven has listed Schweitzer as a witness, but that is a common practice, and it isn't clear whether Schweitzer will actually testify in his own defense.
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