Judge to examine evidence in Schweitzers innocence in Ireland case
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Attorneys for Albert Ian and Shawn Schweitzer scored a victory in court.
The attorneys subpoenaed Hawaii Police asking for all evidence in its investigation into Albert Lauro Jr. Lauro was recently identified as the “unknown male” in connection with the death of Dana Ireland in 1991.
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Lauro killed himself days after talking to detectives.
Prosecutors did not want to share any evidence, arguing the murder investigation is still on-going.
“Our law states that police reports that are part of a pending investigation at the time of the request may be withheld based on law enforcement record exemption and the frustration exemption to disclosure,” said Britt Bailey, Deputy Corporation Council. “This is to avoid impeding an ongoing investigation.”
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The judge ruled that police must hand its findings to the court. The court will then determine if any evidence may be handed over to Schweitzer’s attorneys.
“They argue that to release these records would be a destruction of evidence, loss of witness testimony, tampering with witnesses,” said Bill Harrison, Hawaii Innocence Project “Your honor, we say it that already happened because they failed to follow protocol, initially in this investigation of Mr. Lauro.”
The hearing to determine the Schweitzer’s innocence in the trial continues later this week.
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