STORY: "Optimistic: Hannah Overton’s supporters are hopeful that just-concluded hearings will lead to her exoneration," by reporter Amy McCullough published in "World Magazine " on May 3, 2012.
GIST: "Evidentiary hearings that could lead to freedom or a new triall for Hannah Overton—the Corpus Christi, Texas, mother imprisoned in 2007 after being accused of salt poisoning her 4-year-old foster child—have concluded in Texas District Court. Those supporting Overton believe the proceedings went in her favor. Despite earlier unsuccessful attempts for an appeal, Overton was given the opportunity for evidentiary hearings after her attorneys presented lab results they say were withheld at her previous trial, arguing that she received ineffective counsel. (See “Chance for appeal,” Feb. 14.).........When asked what went wrong in the Overton case, Orr (her defence lawyer HL) said, “I think the moral to the story is you don't do a capital murder [trial] in 10 days and arrest [someone] before the autopsy is even final. When you're dealing with rare disorders, you need to take your time and keep an open mind so that you know what's going on. I think the doctors did the best they could with what they had, but it wasn't good enough.” The state District Court has until early June to make a recommendation to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which could release Overton, order a new trial, or throw out the new evidence."
http://www.worldmag.com/webextra/19476
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/charlessmithThe 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:
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.
