Arkansas: Belynda Goff: Reporter Mike Masterson continues his dogged campaign to this troubling case in which the convicted murderer (of her husband) already has served more than twice the amount of time the state was willing to accept in 1996 had she pleaded guilty to a lesser murder charge, an offer she declined, maintaining that she didn't murder her husband..."The judge noted specific concern that the Carroll County sheriff's office had inexplicably lost potentially exculpatory DNA fingernail and hair evidence it had reclaimed from the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory."

PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "She was convicted by a jury who heard circumstantial versions and theories as to how Stephen was murdered instead of physical evidence. As regular readers likely know, I have spelled out a significant list of discrepancies, omissions, contradictions and questions about her conviction in two dozen columns published since 2014."

STORY: "The first step," by reporter Mike Masterson, published  by The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,  on May 5, 2019.

GIST: "Carroll County Circuit Judge Scott Jackson has approved a defense motion that could restructure the life sentence of 57-year-old Belynda Goff, setting the stage for him to assume jurisdiction over her resentencing hearing in late June. Convicted of first-degree murder in the 1994 bludgeoning of her husband Stephen just inside the front door of their Green Forest apartment, Belynda appeared before Jackson at the Berryville Courthouse the other day clad in an orange prison jumpsuit and shackled at the waist and feet. This was the first step in what many Arkansans hope will lead to the diminutive woman rejoining her  family in freedom. Described as a model prisoner, Belynda already has served more than twice the amount of time the state was willing to accept in 1996 had she pleaded guilty to a lesser murder charge, an offer she declined, maintaining that she didn't murder her husband. She was convicted by a jury who heard circumstantial versions and theories as to how Stephen was murdered instead of physical evidence. As regular readers likely know, I have spelled out a significant list of discrepancies, omissions, contradictions and questions about her conviction in two dozen columns published since 2014. Among Jackson's first actions was to have Belynda unshackled while allowing her to move from a seat alone in the jury box to one between her attorneys for the Innocence Project of New York. That nonprofit organization accepted Belynda's case in 2013 after an extensive review of the facts surrounding her conviction. Over the next 90 minutes, Karen Thompson, former senior staff attorney for that organization, and Jane Pucher, who assumed Thompson's role, joined Carroll County Prosecutor Tony Rogers and his deputy Craig Parker (who represented the state) in offering numerous specific facts surrounding the case. Both sides agreed on most of them. In announcing he would accept jurisdiction, Jackson (Berryville's city attorney at the time of Stephen Goff's murder) said he'd been studying the case outside the hearing and felt familiar with the facts. The judge noted specific concern that the Carroll County sheriff's office had inexplicably lost potentially exculpatory DNA fingernail and hair evidence it had reclaimed from the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. He also noted the state initially had been willing to accept a 10-year prison sentence had Belynda pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. The Berryville courtroom was standing room only with Belynda's supporters. The 70 or so onlookers included Andrea Childress and Paula Brady, from the North Little Rock area. They're active members of Moms in Prayer prison ministry who have regularly prayed with Belynda at the McPherson Women's Unit in Newport for about four years. Undrea Jones, a former inmate from Hardy, also drove to be there. She along with many McPherson prisoners steadfastly believed in Belynda's innocence. Jackson's decision, while positive and certainly justifiable, brought smiles mixed with tears of disappointment since most there hoped Belynda would be freed that day for the decades she's already served. Yet finally, with the middle third of her life passed, the graying, bespectacled lady with a gentle smile whose hair pulled into a ponytail had been black when she was sentenced at age 34, has renewed hopes of spending what time remains with those who've steadfastly supported and loved her. Observers listened intently, some using tissues to wipe away tears as Stephen Goff's grown daughters from an earlier marriage along with Belynda's three adult children, Bridgette, Mark and Stephen, took turns testifying during the hearing's victim-impact segment. Stephen's daughters had come specifically to argue emotionally against setting Belynda free for time served. They remain convinced of her guilt largely because, well, she was convicted by a jury even though relevant witnesses and facts were never heard. Also seated in the courtroom's front row was Archie Rousey, the former Carroll County sheriff's investigator primarily responsible for what Mark Goff argued during his victim's statement for the "tunnel vision" that led to his mother's arrest and conviction. Rousey has attended Belynda's hearings for more than two decades. As Mark approached the lectern, he glanced toward his mother and blew an almost imperceptible kiss which she returned with a soft smile. Following the hearing, Jackson allowed Belynda to turn in her seat and speak for several minutes with her children and the many supporters, telling them not to lose faith, even apologizing that some had traveled a long and expensive distance. "This was a very good thing that happened today," she told them. Those who know her well say that's been Belynda's selfless nature during her entire incarceration, always more concerned about others than herself. Belynda was transferred last month from the McPherson Unit to the Carroll County Detention Center to await the hearing. Jackson denied a request for bail but, based on Pucher's motion, the judge allowed her to remain in the Carroll County facility until the June hearing."

The entire story can be read at:
https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2019/may/05/the-first-step-20190505/

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.