STORY: "The Pamela Jacobazzi case," published by the Illinois Innocence Project on its Web page.
GIST: "Jacobazzi became the main suspect in Matthew's death. Matthew's injuries, which included a subdural hematoma, retinal hemorrhaging, and brain swelling, were considered consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). At the time, SBS was considered sound science and was accepted in the medical community. Recently however, SBS has become a controversial diagnosis. Changes in medicine now challenge the assumption that the trio of injuries (subdural hematoma, retinal hemorrhaging, and brain swelling) can only be the result of a violent shaking or a fall from a three story building. In fact, medical literature now suggests that pre-existing medical conditions such as subdural bleeding, cerebral artery aneurysms, vascular malformations, meningitis, and coagulation and hematologic disorders such as leukemia, sickle cell anemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), hemophilia, von Willebrand's disease and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), in conjunction with a short fall or other minor head trauma, can produce the symptoms previously associated with Shaken Baby Syndrome. Armed with this new information, The Illinois Innocence Project has begun to reinvestigate Jacobazzi's case. The Project is working with students from the University of Illinois College of Law and Jacobazzi's attorney, Anthony Sassan, to prove that Matthew's injuries were not the result of a violent shaking, but, instead were the result of Matthew's short fall, coupled with his naturally occurring diseases."
The entire story can be found at:
See up-date: Supporters are seeking clemency:
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120623/news/706239868/
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.
