Melissa Calusinski; Illinois; Bulletin: Setback for former daycare center worker; Her motion for a new trial has been denied..."Calusinski was working at a Lincolnshire daycare center when 16-month-old Benjamin Kingan died in 2009. Investigators say Calusinski confessed to throwing him to the floor, hitting his head. Former Round Lake Police Officer Dominick Izzo said the confession was coerced. And the former Coroner says there was no evidence of a skull fracture. "When you look at somebody and you know the truth versus what's on paper, it makes you sick to your stomach. How can you not speak out," said Izzo. Appellate court judges disagree however, ruling all the evidence was available during the first trial."

STORY: "Melissa Calusinski denied motion for new trial," by reporter John Garcia, published by ABC  7 on June 11, 2018.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Calusinski's attorney Kathleen Zellner however, said in a statement, "Ms. Calusinski was deprived of a fair trial because the state withheld critical evidence that would have undermined confidence in the verdict against her."

 

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SUB-HEADING: "Melissa Calusinski remains in prison after the state appellate court denied her motion for a new trial."

 

GIST: "Melissa Calusinski remains in prison after the state appellate court denied her motion for a new trial. Despite what her attorney argued is scientific evidence that proves she is innocent. Monday, the father of Melissa Calusinski said they're ready to take the case to the Illinois Supreme Court. "As the evidence shows, they did the wrong thing. Justice was denied again," said Paul Calusinski, Melissa's father. Calusinski was working at a Lincolnshire daycare center when 16-month-old Benjamin Kingan died in 2009. Investigators say Calusinski confessed to throwing him to the floor, hitting his head. Former Round Lake Police Officer Dominick Izzo said the confession was coerced. And the former Coroner says there was no evidence of a skull fracture. "When you look at somebody and you know the truth versus what's on paper, it makes you sick to your stomach. How can you not speak out," said Izzo.  Appellate court judges disagree however, ruling all the evidence was available during the first trial. Calusinski's attorney Kathleen Zellner however, said in a statement, "Ms. Calusinski was deprived of a fair trial because the state withheld critical evidence that would have undermined confidence in the verdict against her." Paul Calusinski visited his daughter in prison over the weekend. "She's anxious to come home. She knows that she's innocent," he said. Zellner says she plans to file an appeal with the Illinois State Supreme Court early next month. She says if she loses there, she will file in federal court."

The entire story can be read at: 

http://abc7chicago.com/attorneys-for-melissa-calusinski-lose-appeal/3591252/

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy; Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog.