The following comments about this visceral Fifth Estate documentary have been posted by the CBC;
COMMENTS
This was a riveting documentary that brought me to tears and broke my heart. I'm not the praying type, but tonight I said a prayer for Bill. I hope that every pathologist, prosecutor and judge watches this piece to remind themselves that the work they do comes with awesome responsibility. Alas, the justice system is a human system, and it is bound to fail again; indeed, there are certainly many more like Bill in Canadian prisons at this very moment.
Anonymous | | Posted January 8, 2009 01:50 AM
It is truly heart breaking to see this kind of miscarriage of justice in our times. It hearkens back the lynch mobs in the south when a finger was pointed at a local black man for whatever crime might have been done by whom ever. It was wrong then and still is so difficult to comprehend. I would like to think it was a lack of skill on behalf of the expert witnesses but clearly it is just the opposite. Dr Smith was a man in love with the fame and the bright lights of the media attention he received for his testimonies. In all the aspects of this case it is the ego of many of the individuals that caused so much doubt to be put in the hearts and minds of so many. Why can't more be done for this family to help them find the healing and the quality of life the need and deserve. Forget financial compensation we have seen what that's does, let the payout be in helping these people find their way back of life. Therapists, educators, clergy whatever is needed to heal and help them find a new path NEEDS to be for Bill, Paul and the rest of those involved or truly the injustice will only continue for all.
Michael J Sturm | | Posted January 8, 2009 12:37 AM
What an incredibly moving and emotional story. All we can do is hope for the best of the family and everyone involved now and in the future. Good for the CBC and Fifth Estate to bring to light this and many other stories that deserve public attention.
PS - AG you make us all proud!
Stephanie | Alberta | Posted January 8, 2009 12:14 AM
Bill must possess exceptional inner strength to have been able to live through this nightmare and yet still act as honourably as he has.
The scene with Bill and Paul at Valin's gravesite was particularly touching, and provides some hope that these two brothers can recapture the special bond that they shared for so many years.
It was disappointing to view pathologist Dr. Bhubendra Rasaiah's attitude near the end of the program: not even the slightest hint of remorse for his role with the initial investigation.
Finally, that it took Dr. Charles Smith 2 full years to locate the tissue samples to allow for a re-examination of the findings is inexcusable. Fortunately those directing the appeal remained steadfast.
May the benefit of time allow the entire family to gain some measure of peace.
David Brethauer | Toronto | Posted January 7, 2009 11:56 PM
I cried along with probably everyone who watched "a death in the family". It was very hard to imagine what went wrong in the court system. I don't know if compensation would help this family but if i were the government i would compensate this family for the losses they incurred especially the uncle who was wrongly convicted. Can the medical practitioners be held liable for allowing all the mistakes? My heart goes out to the uncle and his family and little Valin.
sincerely;
susan
susan pryde | | Posted January 7, 2009 11:11 PM
The fifth estate did an excellent job of bringing to light how it's not just the convicted person who is affected by the court's decision. In this case an innocent man was convicted of a crime he did not commit and it tore a family apart.
While there are lots of good people in our criminal justice system I feel that they are often powerless as it seems our system is process driven as opposed to being driven by the pursuit of the truth.
I suppose our justice system shall always suffer from the frailties of being administered by humans who are often subjected to the emotionality of a tragic situation. But that's no reason not to work to bring about better methods to detect and resolve wrongful convictions. At present, if a person maintains their innocence against a conviction, there is very little help and those who do help are often inundated with requests for help.
Thank you, it's only through your efforts that society can see just how easy justice can be defeated and how such travesties can bring immense burden to innocent people.
James Balkwill | | Posted January 7, 2009 11:03 PM
A death in the family was very well portrayed story. It was very compelling. The one item that should have been left out is the comment by the niece of this gentlemen.
She obviously has no respect for anyone but herself and doesn't deserve the two minutes of fame (or shame) she had. It must be a very upsetting thing to have happen in your life but he was exonerated and I can't understand why she can't see that.
ryan leppard | london | Posted January 7, 2009 10:05 PM
My heart is broken for this family and this gentleman who was soooooooooo easily put behind bars with "made up" evidence. How does something like this ever happen. Not only did they take away the life of a man, but the family will now never know how Valin really died.
I pray that the family can ALL find it in their hearts to put all the bad memories behind them. Remember - He Did Nothing Wrong! The system failed.
Wanda Coxon | Ontario | Posted January 7, 2009 09:59 PM;
Harold Levy...hlevy15@gmail.com
