Hawaii county prosecutors: Schweitzers still suspects in Ireland murder despite guilty verdicts being thrown out

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Albert Ian and Shawn Schweitzer are still considered suspects in the murder of Dana Ireland. Big Island prosecutors admitted that in court today, despite their guilty verdicts being thrown out last year.

At the Hawaii Supreme Court, justices took no time in asking the obvious question.

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“Are the Schweitzer’s still suspects?” asked Assoc. Justice Vladimir Devens. “I cannot answer that question,” said Britt Bailey, deputy corporation counsel. “I’ll take that as a no,” said Assoc. Justice Devens.

“Yes, the state still believes the Schweitzers are still suspects in this crime,” said Shannon Kagawa, Hawaii county deputy prosecutor.

The fight to release evidence to Albert Ian and Shawn Schweitzer’s attorneys went to the state’s highest court. The attorney for Big Island police and Hilo prosecutors insist they can’t release evidence because the investigation is still on-going.

“Family members have yet to be interviewed, or at least the completion of those interviews,” said Bailey. “Mr. Lauro’s wife has not yet made herself available for an interview.”

Albert Lauro Jr. was recently identified as the “unknown male” in connection with the murder of Dana Ireland in 1991. Detectives interviewed him, but Lauro killed himself days later.

“If Lauro made statements, saying he doesn’t know the Schweitzers at all, never met em, they had no involvement, how would that jeopardize or compromise the investigation,” said Assoc. Justice Devens.

“I believe if Lauro had stated ‘I did it all by myself, nobody else was involved,’ yes, that’s different,” said Kagawa.

“Why would a county prosecutors office essential agree to post conviction relief if the convicted individuals were still suspects,” asked Assoc. Justice Todd Eddins.

“I’m not saying they would be found not guilty, I’m not saying they would be found guilty, I’m saying we said with the new DNA evidence it would be possible that a jury could reach a different verdict,” said Kagawa.

“He wants the chance to remove the stain from him name, from his family’s name,” said Keith Shigetomi, attorney for Shawn Schweitzer. “All we’re asking for is information. If doesn’t prove it, then we fail.”

Supreme court justices will now review the testimony and decide whether to rule for or against the county’s subpoenea. Or they could make no ruling at all. Court officials say there is no deadline on when that decision needs to be made.