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"Reformers have for years recommended that all forensic labs be independent from law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies' and this is a key reform promoted by The Justice Project (2008). But fixing these problems is only half the answer' because half of the wrongful convictions attributed to misleading forensic evidence involved deliberate forensic fraud' evidence tampering' and/or perjury.
From "The Elephant in the Crime Lab," by co-authored by Sheila Berry and Larry Ytuarte; Forensic Examiner; Spring, 2009;
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QUOTE OF THE DAY: "‘You put your trust in tests and all of these courts to do the right thing and that the right people are found guilty and not guilty, and in this case it was 100 per cent proven that they made the wrong decision.’
Sam Weaving;
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PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "Sam Weaving, 24, formerly of Merchistoun Road, Horndean, but now of Midhurst, lost his job after he admitted driving while over the limit for cannabis – and was banned for 18 months in December 2017. A community order for a cannabis possession conviction remains. He now hopes to file a civil claim against RTS.He said: ‘I lost 17-18 months of work, thousands of pounds, and had fines. ‘It’s cost me so much time on the bus it’s unreal. I’m so happy now that justice has been served and I’m going to have my licence back. It was very rubbish to be the person affected by it."
PHOTO CAPTION: "Isobel Clarke
and Sam Weaving outside Portsmouth Magistrates' Court after their
drug-driving convictions were quashed in the wake of the drug testing
scandal at Randox Testing Services."
GIST: "Drivers considering suing a forensic testing laboratory after their
drug-driving convictions were quashed in an alleged manipulation scandal
have spoken out at the damage to their lives. Both Isobel Clarke, 41, and Sam Weaving, 24, were banned from driving following their convictions in 2016 and 2017. But at a brief hearing at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court these were set aside as the convictions were quashed. It comes as 10,000 cases are being looked at after
the start of a probe into rogue scientists at Randox Testing Services
Laboratory in Manchester. Mum Isobel, of Chaucer Avenue, was banned for four years and
handed a suspended jail term after admitting driving while unfit through
drugs, and two charges of driving while over a drug limit, cocaine and
its by-product, on Station Road, Portchester on July 5, 2016. Speaking to The News after the conviction was quashed Isobel said: ‘I’ve got mixed emotions really, I’m pretty angry. ‘It’s caused a lot of problems for me, it’s been a rough ride.’ Her
convictions, sparked after police were called when she bumped into
another vehicle, came just as she had finished a beauty therapy college
course. ‘I’d just finished hairdressing, barbering, things
were going really well,’ she said. ‘None of that has been pursued
obviously, it’s caused black depression. ‘I can’t believe it’s actually happened – I should be glad it’s all been resolved. ‘But I’m not, I’m angry. It’s just a huge miscarriage of justice.’ Isobel had to sell her Nissan Almera due to the ban, which has been lifted. Sam Weaving, 24, formerly of
Merchistoun Road, Horndean, but now of Midhurst, lost his job after he
admitted driving while over the limit for cannabis – and was banned for
18 months in December 2017. A community order for a cannabis possession
conviction remains. He now hopes to file a civil claim against RTS.He said: ‘I lost 17-18 months of work, thousands of pounds, and had fines. ‘It’s
cost me so much time on the bus it’s unreal. I’m so happy now that
justice has been served and I’m going to have my licence back. It was
very rubbish to be the person affected by it. ‘You put your trust in tests and all of these
courts to do the right thing and that the right people are found guilty
and not guilty, and in this case it was 100 per cent proven that they
made the wrong decision.’ Hampshire police last year said there were more than 400 cases being reviewed due to the scandal. RTS has previously said it should be treated as a whistleblower and has co-operated with police."
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/c
The entire story can be found at:
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/c
