Woman Accused of Killing Significant Other with Car Seatbelt Faces Trial
Judge allows attempt at prosecution of woman suspected of choking boyfriend
In a shocking turn of events, a Pahoa woman is charged with second-degree murder following her alleged use of a car seatbelt to fatally strangle her partner. Patricia Ann McConnell, age 42, stands accused of the late-night murder of 45-year-old Patrick Dalrymple-Collins on April 25 at the Lehua Road property in Nanawale Estates, Hawaii.
According to testimony during the preliminary hearing, three Hawaii Police Department officers and one civilian testified against McConnell. Lance Kawelo, a friend of Dalrymple-Collins, described arriving at the property to find his friend in the driver's seat of his white Honda Fit. His body was slumped over with his head on the ground and the driver-side seatbelt stretched out from the car and onto the ground, approximately a foot and a half away. Despite talking briefly to McConnell, Kawelo did not see any symptoms of life in Dalrymple-Collins.
Keaolapule Fessenden-Grace, one of the officers who responded to the scene, testified that Dalrymple-Collins was "slumped over, out of the vehicle, with his lower half still in the vehicle and his upper half outside of the vehicle, face down." Fessenden-Grace noted the victim's lips were purple, and he was pale, with some blood coming from his right ear. The officer administered Narcan and performed CPR, but the efforts proved fruitless. Fessenden-Grace also testified that McConnell made statements like "he was trying to attack me, so I choked him" and had a substance presumed to be methamphetamine during a pat-down search.
The man's death was ultimately determined to be due to strangulation by Dr. Kate Raastad during an autopsy on April 25. Detective Duane Rapoza of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section confirmed that this conclusion reflects the gravity of McConnell's actions.
Although the transcendent nature of this case makes it difficult to discern the prevalence of using car seatbelts as weapons in domestic violence cases, it showcases the potential for extreme violence within these relationships. Strangulation is a severe concern in domestic violence scenarios and may be categorized under assault or family violence charges. In many legal jurisdictions, family violence strangulation is regarded as a severe felony.
Jared Auna, the deputy public defender representing McConnell, did not call any witnesses during the proceedings. Judge Jeffrey Hawk ruled that probable cause exists for McConnell to stand trial, and she has been ordered to appear for an arraignment and plea hearing at 8 a.m. on May 14, 2022, in Hilo Circuit Court. McConnell currently remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center with a bail set at $1.505 million.
Sources:
- Hawaiitribune-Herald.com
- Statistical data on the prevalence of car seatbelt strangulation in domestic violence cases was not found, but it is considered an extreme act of violence.
- Strangulation in domestic violence cases is a serious concern and is often associated with broader categories of assault or family violence charges.
- Family violence strangulation is considered a severe felony offense in many legal jurisdictions.
- The Pahoa woman, Patricia Ann McConnell, accused of killing her partner, Patrick Dalrymple-Collins with a car seatbelt, faces trial for second-degree murder.
- Testimony during the preliminary hearing revealed that McConnell had admitted to using the car seatbelt to strangulate Dalrymple-Collins, a act that ultimately led to his death.
- Although it is difficult to determine the prevalence of using car seatbelts as weapons in domestic violence incidents, the case of McConnell emphasizes the potential for significant violence within these relationships.
- Strangulation is a common concern in domestic violence scenarios and is often categorized under assault or family violence charges, making it a significant matter in the 'crime-and-justice' and 'general-news' sectors.
