GIST: "The American Bar Association and trial lawyers across the country are outraged over the recent reports circulating of continued integrity issues being found within the Department of Justice Forensic Labs and the duty of prosecutors who know of tainted case evidence, and don't notify defense attorneys. The ABA and others have proposed stronger ethics rules for prosecutors to act on information that casts doubt on convictions; opening laboratory and other files to the defense; clearer reporting and evidence retention; greater involvement by scientists in setting rules for testimony at criminal trials; and more scientific training for lawyers and judges. They also propose more oversight by standing state forensic-science commissions and funding for research into forensic techniques and experts for indigent defendants. According to an in-depth investigation by Washington Post reporters Spencer S. Hsu, Jennifer Jenkins and Ted Mellnik; Justice Department officials have known for years that flawed forensic work led to the convictions of still potentially innocent people. And prosecutors failed to notify defendants or their attorneys even in many cases they knew were troubled. Feds responded to the story by saying this is "old news." It's not old, just ongoing because nothing has changed. Michael R. Bromwich, a former federal prosecutor and the inspector general who investigated the FBI lab, said in a statement that even if more defense lawyers were notified of the initial review, "that doesn't absolve the task force from ensuring that every single defense lawyer in one of these cases was notified." He added: "It is deeply troubling that after going to so much time and trouble to identify problematic conduct by FBI forensic analysts the DOJ Task Force apparently failed to follow through and ensure that defense counsel were notified in every single case."
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this case. 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.
