ore conducting important DNA tests that bear directly on his guilt or innocence. However, to this Blog, past history suggests that the irrational may be the order of the day - even on matters involving life and death. For a start, this is the state where Governor Rick Perry allowed the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham to proceed - even though he had been presented with a report casting serious doubt on the arson science that had been used to convict him. Secondly, this is the state where the governor did not even try to disguise raw political manoeuvres aimed at castrating the Texas Forensic Science Commission so that it would be unable to expose the rot at the heart of Willingham's conviction. Thirdly, this is the state that has been so eager to embrace DNA technology that can convict someone - yet so reluctant to use the same technology to exonerate those who have been wrongfully convicted of the most serious crimes. Lastly, Texas has shown that it values procedural correctness (the filing of court applications on time) - over certainty and human life. Governor Perry could hold off the execution - and instruct his prosecutors to back off and expedite the tests (as he very much should) - but who can be confident that this will happen? The only hope is that Perry will postpone the execution for thirty days (even if it is out of pure political expedience) - as is his power - and that the Texas courts will come to their senses and order the tests to proceed. That failing, I wonder if the anger of Americans concerned over repeated injustices leading to loss of life and liberty in their criminal justice system will ever prompt them to occupy their courts.HAROLD LEVY; PUBLISHER; THE CHARLES SMITH BLOG;
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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 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
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;
