Tortola jury convicts Rhode Island Man of murder

It took nearly two weeks for a jury in Road Town, Tortola to convict Rhode Island dive shop owner David Swain for the 1999 death of his wife Shelly Tyre.  Swain will serve 25 years in Tortola's hilltop prison.

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court trial is one of the most sensational trials ever to hit Tortola and griped the small community of 25,000.  It even attracted attention from US media, including Dateline NBC.

Swain and Tyre were on a diving vacation to Tortola in March of 1999.  The couple dove the "Twin Wrecks", a dive that features two sunken tug boats in 80 feet of water. Tyre did not return from the dive.  Swain, a former EMT reportedly gave Tyre CPR and could not revive her.

Originally the death was ruled an accident.  Then in 2006, Tyre's parents filed and won a civil suit against Swain and Tortola authorities reopened the case and charged Swain with murder.

The prosecution's case focused on the signs of an underwater struggle.  Tyre's mask and snorkel were ripped; her fin was stuck in the sand near the wreck.  Prosecution also presented evidence that Swain was romancing another woman at the time of the death and Swain inherited half a million dollars in life insurance.Defense attorneys countered that the autopsy report did not rule out an underwater heart attack or related medical problem.

Jurors agreed with the prosecution and delivered a unanimous decision. Swain was sentenced to 25 years in a subsequent trial.

Video from Rhode Island's Channel 12: