Amanda Knox

During Ian's January 2023 hearing, his legal team invites experts to testify and walk the judge through all the forensic evidence used to convict the three men. Starting with the DNA evidence recovered from the hospital bedsheet and from the armpit of the Jimmy Zee T-shirt, which excluded Ian Schweitzer, Sean Schweitzer and Frank Pauline Jr.,

During Ian's January 2023 hearing, his legal team invites experts to testify and walk the judge through all the forensic evidence used to convict the three men. Starting with the DNA evidence recovered from the hospital bedsheet and from the armpit of the Jimmy Zee T-shirt, which excluded Ian Schweitzer, Sean Schweitzer and Frank Pauline Jr.,

This DNA was consistent with samples taken from the vaginal swabs and from Dana's underwear, all of which pointed to a single person identified as unknown male number one.

This DNA was consistent with samples taken from the vaginal swabs and from Dana's underwear, all of which pointed to a single person identified as unknown male number one.

The investigation had pinned Ian's 1957 Volkswagen Beetle as the vehicle that hit Dana, Ireland. But the tire tracks from the bike accident scene and the Wa'awa'a Trail revealed inconsistencies in the tread patterns. They didn't match the VW. The experts go on to debunk the tread marks.

The investigation had pinned Ian's 1957 Volkswagen Beetle as the vehicle that hit Dana, Ireland. But the tire tracks from the bike accident scene and the Wa'awa'a Trail revealed inconsistencies in the tread patterns. They didn't match the VW. The experts go on to debunk the tread marks.

Using the manufacturer's specs of the 1953 model, they point out significant differences in the Beetle's tread width, track width, and the wheelbase measurements compared to what police recorded at the scenes. They were closer to the markings of a small pickup truck. The VW Beetle would have to have been a highly modified stretch version of the model that Ian had driven.

Using the manufacturer's specs of the 1953 model, they point out significant differences in the Beetle's tread width, track width, and the wheelbase measurements compared to what police recorded at the scenes. They were closer to the markings of a small pickup truck. The VW Beetle would have to have been a highly modified stretch version of the model that Ian had driven.

Next is the bite mark evidence. A forensic odontology expert looks into the bite marks and explains during the hearing how teeth and skin change over time, making it difficult to link bite marks to individuals. The expert also criticizes the original doctor's conclusions and believes that the marks were not, in fact, bite marks at all.

Next is the bite mark evidence. A forensic odontology expert looks into the bite marks and explains during the hearing how teeth and skin change over time, making it difficult to link bite marks to individuals. The expert also criticizes the original doctor's conclusions and believes that the marks were not, in fact, bite marks at all.

Ultimately, Ian, Sean, and Frank are conclusively excluded as contributors to the DNA evidence. The use of the VW in the murder is debunked, and the bite mark analysis is dismissed as junk science. Each piece of the puzzle the defense presents points to one conclusion, a single culprit who remains unidentified.

Ultimately, Ian, Sean, and Frank are conclusively excluded as contributors to the DNA evidence. The use of the VW in the murder is debunked, and the bite mark analysis is dismissed as junk science. Each piece of the puzzle the defense presents points to one conclusion, a single culprit who remains unidentified.

In other words, three innocent men were convicted of crimes they did not commit while the real perpetrator was living out his glory days.

In other words, three innocent men were convicted of crimes they did not commit while the real perpetrator was living out his glory days.

Now, this particular hearing is not to prove Ian's innocence, only to demonstrate that there is crucial evidence that ultimately was not presented at his initial trial. But on January 24th, 2023, Ian's conviction is vacated and the charges against him are dismissed. He's formally exonerated now.

Now, this particular hearing is not to prove Ian's innocence, only to demonstrate that there is crucial evidence that ultimately was not presented at his initial trial. But on January 24th, 2023, Ian's conviction is vacated and the charges against him are dismissed. He's formally exonerated now.

Local investigative journalist Lynn Kawano, who has spent years working on and covering this case, was in the courtroom that day and heard all of this firsthand.

Local investigative journalist Lynn Kawano, who has spent years working on and covering this case, was in the courtroom that day and heard all of this firsthand.

That's next in Chapter 6, which you can listen to next week.

That's next in Chapter 6, which you can listen to next week.