"Diab's lawyer, Donald Bayne, argued a handwriting analysis linking Diab to the bombing was "manifestly unreliable" and should be thrown out.
Judge Robert Maranger said "scathing criticism of the French evidence" from three defence handwriting analysis experts was not sufficient to meet this burden.
The French evidence is "presumptively reliable" under extradition statutes, Maranger said, though he likened handwriting analysis to a "pseudo-science."
"(The French expert's) curriculum vitae supports the proposition that she is qualified," Maranger said.
The decision stunned the packed courtroom Friday morning."
REPORTER TONY SPEARS; TORONTO SUN;
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"OTTAWA - A judge opted not to toss out a handwriting analysis critical to France's case against accused terrorist Hassan Diab, despite finding it "problematic," "very confusing" and with "suspect" conclusions," the Toronto Sun story by reporter Tony Spears published earlier today begins, under the heading, "Diab handwriting analysis stands: Judge."
"The French government is seeking Diab's extradition. They allege the Carleton University professor bombed a Paris synagogue in the 1980s," the story continues.
"Diab's lawyer, Donald Bayne, argued a handwriting analysis linking Diab to the bombing was "manifestly unreliable" and should be thrown out.
Judge Robert Maranger said "scathing criticism of the French evidence" from three defence handwriting analysis experts was not sufficient to meet this burden.
The French evidence is "presumptively reliable" under extradition statutes, Maranger said, though he likened handwriting analysis to a "pseudo-science."
"(The French expert's) curriculum vitae supports the proposition that she is qualified," Maranger said.
The decision stunned the packed courtroom Friday morning.
A quiet gasp of disbelief and disappointment greeted Maranger's ruling.
Maranger stressed his decision was merely a brief sketch, and he would be offering a more comprehensive written decision at a later date.
Lawyers met Friday to set the next round of court dates."
The story can be found at:
http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2011/02/18/17326616.html
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: 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 accessed at:
http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith
For a breakdown of some of the cases, issues and controversies this Blog is currently following, please turn to:
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=120008354894645705&postID=8369513443994476774
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;
