Accomplice in Ireland’s
murder getting threats

A Big Isle judge tells Shawn
Schweitzer to find a mainland job

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By Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.com

HILO >> Shawn Schweitzer, one of three men involved with the 1991 rape and murder of Big Island visitor Dana Ireland, is in "excellent" compliance with his probation, Circuit Judge Riki May Amano says.

But Schweitzer, 26, has received threatening telephone calls and his windshield was smashed by an unknown person about 1 1/2 months ago, Deputy Prosecutor Charlene Iboshi said.

During a hearing on Schweitzer's probation compliance yesterday, Amano and Iboshi suggested Schweitzer should find a job on the mainland.

On Christmas Eve 1991, Virginia resident Ireland, 23, was deliberately hit by a car, raped and abandoned to die.

After a multi-year investigation that roused public criticism for its slow pace, Schweitzer, his older brother Albert Ian, and their friend Frank Pauline Jr. were tried for the crime.

Albert Ian Schweitzer was sentenced to life plus two 20-year sentences for murder, kidnapping and rape. Pauline was sentenced to three life terms for murder, kidnapping and rape.

Shawn Schweitzer, 16 at the time of the attack, told police he was in the back seat of a car during the attack. He protested briefly but did nothing to help Ireland.

Schweitzer pleaded guilty to manslaughter and kidnapping and was sentenced to a year in jail, plus five years probation.

In his second annual probation review yesterday, Amano said, "Your compliance is excellent."

But she noted the stress Schweitzer is under from threats and property damage.

"He is at great risk to violate (probation)," she told Iboshi.

One mainland job possibility fell through, but the prosecution recommends Schweitzer continue looking for mainland work, Iboshi said.

"He can't just go up and look for a job. He has to have confirmation before he goes there," she said.

Schweitzer answered Amano's questions but made no statement. Iboshi said later, "I don't pick up on him depreciating or trying to make people forget what he did."

Schweitzer is employed full time on the Big Island and continues supporting his three children, she said.

Amano ordered another compliance hearing at the end of the third year of probation in May 2003.