PUBLISHER'S VIEW: This is neither the first or the last case where an accused person protesting his or her innocence is brought down by DNA. The case does, however, show the importance of requiring police forces at all levels to carefully identify, collect and preserve possible DNA source materials so that new tests can be done - no matter how far in the future. Careful preservation of evidence will help insure that innocent persons go free and guilty persons are convicted. The ultimate result should not have to depend on the serendipitous finding of the materials years later.
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog.
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STORY: "New DNA test points to New Orleans convict who was nearly set free," by reporter John Simerman, published in the Times-Picayune on September 14, 2012.
GIST: "Science just caught up to Booker Diggins. One of the latest poster children for possible misconduct in former District Attorney Harry Connick's office has suddenly become something entirely different: A symbol of the perils of the historic disarray in the Orleans Parish criminal courthouse. Eight years after Diggins first appealed his conviction for rape and robbery inside a Riverwalk storage room, test results of the victim's newly-located rape kit has revealed a match for his DNA, according to results filed Friday with the court. Diggins' attorneys with the New York-based Innocence Project, who have worked for years trying to free him, are expected now to withdraw from the case."
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/09/new_dna_test_points_to_new_orl.html
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.
