Dear reader; Due to a looming publishing deadline I will be unable to post new material until mid-November. I invite my many impeccable, well-placed sources around the Globe (all three of them!) to draw issues and cases that arrive during this period to my attention, so that I can dig into them when I am back in action. There are two cases you might be interested in be keeping your eye on in my absence.
First case: The on-going sexual assault trial in Calgary, Alberta of Dr. Aubrey Levin:
CBC reporter Tara Weber is tweeting on the trial at:
@TaraNWeber
Reporter Daryl Slade has been covering the trial for the Calgary Herald: Search for his stories at:
calgaryherald.com;
Second case: The fallout in the arrest of former Boston drug analyst Annie Dookhan - a source of potentially hundreds of miscarriages of justice, and a canary warning of what could happen in over-worked police labs throughout the U.S.A.
Reporter Brian Ballou has been covering developments in the Dookhan investigation for the Boston Globe: Search for his stories at:
bostonglobe.com;
Au revoir.
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses
several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of
the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this
powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and
myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take
several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search.
Search away!
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.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Aubrey Levin: Psychiatrist charged with sex assaults; Jury sees more graphic video taken by complainant with spy watch camera. Calgary Herald;
STORY: "Jury sees more graphic video in trial for psychiatrist charged with sex assaults," by reporter Daryl Slade, published by the Calgary Herald, on October 12, 2012.
GIST: "A jury got a second look at a surreptitiously recorded video that purportedly shows Dr. Aubrey Levin fondling a patient during a session, with enhanced audio, at the forensic psychiatrist's sex assault trial on Friday. However, without a transcript, it was virtually impossible to understand what was being said between Levin and R.B., the 36-year-old man who initiated the complaint in March 2010 after recording two sessions with a spy watch camera, any better than it was the previous day without the enhancement.........R.B. told the jury on Thursday he bought the spy watch for $240 to gather evidence against Levin, whom he said had sexually molested him in February 2010. He recorded two sessions, on March 3 and March 16, with the spy watch camera. In the first video, Levin is seen fondling R.B. twice for about two minutes each during the 70-minute session. In the second one, Levin fondles the 36-year-old patient for more than 14 minutes. R.B. testified he bought the watch because he had been previously molested by the doctor, who punctured his genitals with his fingernails during the February session at Peter Lougheed Centre’s Forensic Assessment and Outpatient Ser-vices (FAOS) unit. R.B. took pictures of the injuries from that incident. They were shown in court. Levin has shown no emotion during the times the videos have been played. R.B. had been scheduled to continue his testimony on Friday, but he was shifted to next Tuesday to accommodate Begault and other experts. A urologist and another forensic psychiatrist are scheduled testify on Monday."
GIST: "A jury got a second look at a surreptitiously recorded video that purportedly shows Dr. Aubrey Levin fondling a patient during a session, with enhanced audio, at the forensic psychiatrist's sex assault trial on Friday. However, without a transcript, it was virtually impossible to understand what was being said between Levin and R.B., the 36-year-old man who initiated the complaint in March 2010 after recording two sessions with a spy watch camera, any better than it was the previous day without the enhancement.........R.B. told the jury on Thursday he bought the spy watch for $240 to gather evidence against Levin, whom he said had sexually molested him in February 2010. He recorded two sessions, on March 3 and March 16, with the spy watch camera. In the first video, Levin is seen fondling R.B. twice for about two minutes each during the 70-minute session. In the second one, Levin fondles the 36-year-old patient for more than 14 minutes. R.B. testified he bought the watch because he had been previously molested by the doctor, who punctured his genitals with his fingernails during the February session at Peter Lougheed Centre’s Forensic Assessment and Outpatient Ser-vices (FAOS) unit. R.B. took pictures of the injuries from that incident. They were shown in court. Levin has shown no emotion during the times the videos have been played. R.B. had been scheduled to continue his testimony on Friday, but he was shifted to next Tuesday to accommodate Begault and other experts. A urologist and another forensic psychiatrist are scheduled testify on Monday."
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.canada.com/news/crime-and-justice/Jury+sees+more+graphic+video+trial+psychiatrist+charged/7382367/story.html
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Oregon State Police; Flawed handwriting analysis suspected; Dozens of cases under review; Prosecutors nix grand jury; The Oregonian;
STORY: "Experts examining criminal cases possibly tainted by Oregon State police handwriting analysts," by reporter Bryan Denson, published in the Oregonian, on October 7, 2012.
GIST: "Oregon State Police, confronted by suspected quality lapses by its handwriting analysts, have commissioned external examiners to review dozens of criminal cases to make sure they weren't tainted by mistakes. The two analysts were suspended with pay last spring and the head of the state police Forensic Services Division was reassigned after state police officials identified problems with handwriting analysis in a Umatilla County case. The number of cases under review has grown to more than 30 and may rise, said Lt. Gregg Hastings, a department spokesman. "In addition to those reviews (that) haven't been completed, other cases are also being considered for independent review," according to a state police statement on the investigation. A state police lieutenant and an investigator in the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office conducted a criminal investigation of the handwriting analysis problems last spring that concluded on June 15. A prosecutor reviewed the evidence and decided not to take the case before a grand jury, state police said.........Dingeman said state police want to make sure none of the suspected lapses in handwriting analysis tainted evidence or trial testimony. He pointed out that it is the rare criminal case that hinges solely on handwriting analysis. Fingerprint and DNA analyses are typically far more critical, he said."
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/10/experts_examining_criminal_cas.html
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Bulletin: Dr. Aubrey Levin: Forensic psychiatrist found fit to stand trial. Trial underway. Videotaped sessions offered in evidence. Calgary Herald.
STORY: "Videotaped session led to sexual assault charges against psychiatrist: Levin trial." by reporter Daryl Slade, published on October 11, 2012.
GIST: "The former criminal lawyer for a Calgary man who created a firestorm when he accused prominent forensic psychiatrist Dr. Aubrey Levin of sexually assaulting him said he told the complainant, R.B., that he should tape his sessions for proof. Mitch Stephensen testified on Thursday that R.B. brought in a tape of his next session with Levin, on March 16, 2010, and he subsequently turned it over to police the next month. “I knew (R.B.) had been seeing Levin for awhile, but I never heard of any improprieties until March 5 (2010),” Stephensen told Levin’s lawyer Alain Hepner. Levin is currently on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting a total of 10 men during court-ordered sessions at the Peter Lougheed Centre’s Forensic Assessment and Outpatient Services unit between 1999 and 2010. Stephensen said he advised R.B. to take the video in contemplation of civil or criminal actions, because it would serve as evidence. “I said you need evidence,” the lawyer told Crown prosecutor Bill Wister. “I just said, ‘if it happens again,’ better to have a second video. “(R.B.) was concerned nobody would believe him. He didn’t want to talk to police. He was embarrassed. Quite frankly, if I didn’t see the video, I don’t know if I’d have believed him.”......... The scheduled six-week trial before Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Donna Shelley and jury continues.
GIST: "The former criminal lawyer for a Calgary man who created a firestorm when he accused prominent forensic psychiatrist Dr. Aubrey Levin of sexually assaulting him said he told the complainant, R.B., that he should tape his sessions for proof. Mitch Stephensen testified on Thursday that R.B. brought in a tape of his next session with Levin, on March 16, 2010, and he subsequently turned it over to police the next month. “I knew (R.B.) had been seeing Levin for awhile, but I never heard of any improprieties until March 5 (2010),” Stephensen told Levin’s lawyer Alain Hepner. Levin is currently on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting a total of 10 men during court-ordered sessions at the Peter Lougheed Centre’s Forensic Assessment and Outpatient Services unit between 1999 and 2010. Stephensen said he advised R.B. to take the video in contemplation of civil or criminal actions, because it would serve as evidence. “I said you need evidence,” the lawyer told Crown prosecutor Bill Wister. “I just said, ‘if it happens again,’ better to have a second video. “(R.B.) was concerned nobody would believe him. He didn’t want to talk to police. He was embarrassed. Quite frankly, if I didn’t see the video, I don’t know if I’d have believed him.”......... The scheduled six-week trial before Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Donna Shelley and jury continues.
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Videotaped+session+sexual+assault+charges+against+psychiatrist+Levin+trial/7376106/story.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Annie Dookhan: "Chemist in Mass. scandal refuses to testify." Closed lab is now a crime scene. Associated Press. (Really fascinating story! HL);
STORY: "Chemist in Mass. scandal refuses to testify," by Denise Lavoie, AP Legal Affairs Writer, published on October 10, 2102.
GIST: "The chemist at the center of a Massachusetts drug-testing lab scandal refused to testify Wednesday in a drug case against a Boston man who once spent 15 years in prison for the slaying of a 12-year-old girl he says he did not commit.
A lawyer for Shawn Drumgold asked a judge to dismiss two drug charges against her client because chemist Annie Dookhan's initials appear on a drug analysis form in the case. The judge refused, and Drumgold's drug trial began Wednesday afternoon. Dookhan is charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly skirting protocols and faking test results at the now-closed lab. Dookhan appeared in court but did not take the stand and exercised her Fifth Amendment right not to testify.........When Drumgold was arrested on drug possession charges in 2011, he was the only person out of 14 people in a Boston apartment charged, his lawyer, Rosemary Scapicchio, said Wednesday. He denied the drugs were his and she thinks Boston police only arrested him because of his legal victory against the department. Scapicchio said Wednesday prosecutors hadn't provided her with sufficient drug testing evidence in the case. Costello said they have been unable to fulfill her request for some documents because the closed lab is a "crime scene" in the custody of the state attorney general's office as it investigates the testing scandal. State police, who took over operation of the lab from the Department of Public Health, have said Dookhan tested more than 60,000 samples covering 34,000 defendants during her nine years at the lab. State officials said last week that they have identified more than 1,100 defendants who are serving time in county jails or state prisons based on samples tested by Dookhan."
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gEy-_5eoAIdZ3KQA4MfxvF-Bh0Bw?docId=0e732446a8a3474ea9bf7e14bd019e9d
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Annie Dookhan: Shocking numbers and a warning: "If you think this couldn't happen in your lab, you're naive." Nature. Link to Boston police file. Great Read.
STORY: "Chemist charged with fraud shows system under pressure," by Eugenie Samuel Reich, published by "Nature" on October 9, 2012.
SUB-Heading: "Boston scandal exposes backlog."
GIST: "The numbers are shocking: 1,100 people are in jail on the basis of evidence that may have been tampered with, and 34,000 criminal cases could be affected. The fallout stems from the work of just one forensic chemist, who is alleged to have faked test results on suspected drug samples........“If you think this couldn’t happen in your lab, you’re naive,” says Robin Cotton, director of the forensic-sciences programme at Boston University and a former forensic-lab director. “Lab directors all over the country are paying attention.” Cotton and others say that the affair highlights a resourcing problem that is putting pressure on US forensic-lab workers and their supervisors, who need to bring cases to court fast, but without compromising the integrity of test results.........A bill now before the US Congress aims to improve the quality of forensic science by providing funding for research and for development of national standards. But the bill does not include funding to clear backlogs. Stephen Saloom, policy director at the Innocence Project in New York, which seeks to uncover wrongful convictions, says that even if the bill passes it won’t provide an immediate remedy for cases of deliberate evidence tampering."
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.nature.com/news/boston-scandal-exposes-backlog-1.11561SUB-Heading: "Boston scandal exposes backlog."
GIST: "The numbers are shocking: 1,100 people are in jail on the basis of evidence that may have been tampered with, and 34,000 criminal cases could be affected. The fallout stems from the work of just one forensic chemist, who is alleged to have faked test results on suspected drug samples........“If you think this couldn’t happen in your lab, you’re naive,” says Robin Cotton, director of the forensic-sciences programme at Boston University and a former forensic-lab director. “Lab directors all over the country are paying attention.” Cotton and others say that the affair highlights a resourcing problem that is putting pressure on US forensic-lab workers and their supervisors, who need to bring cases to court fast, but without compromising the integrity of test results.........A bill now before the US Congress aims to improve the quality of forensic science by providing funding for research and for development of national standards. But the bill does not include funding to clear backlogs. Stephen Saloom, policy director at the Innocence Project in New York, which seeks to uncover wrongful convictions, says that even if the bill passes it won’t provide an immediate remedy for cases of deliberate evidence tampering."
The entire story can be found at:
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Colin Matchim: Newfoundland; "Bleeding on baby's brain not caused by shaking, expert says." CBC News.
STORY: "Bleeding on baby's brain not caused by shaking, expert says," up-dated on October 9, 2012, by CBC News.
SUB-HEADING: Defence calls expert to question baby-shaking ruling;
GIST: "Another expert witness testified in court in St. John's Tuesday that bleeding on baby August Matchim's brain was not caused by shaken baby syndrome. Testifying by video link, pediatric radiologist Dr. Julie Mack told a St. John's courtroom that the baby could have had what amounted to a stroke. She said no one could generate enough force simply by shaking the baby to cause the bleeding on the brain that August Matchim had suffered.......... Matchim's sentencing was put on hold for more than a year because his new lawyers wanted to put expert evidence before the court to show that the injuries to his baby daughter could have happened some other way. Last week, neuropathologist Dr. David Ramsay told the court that August Matchim's injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome, but could have also been caused if the infant had a pre-existing condition that interfered with the flow of blood in her brain. Ramsay also noted that August didn't show any external signs of trauma, such as bruising or cuts."
The entire story can be found at:SUB-HEADING: Defence calls expert to question baby-shaking ruling;
GIST: "Another expert witness testified in court in St. John's Tuesday that bleeding on baby August Matchim's brain was not caused by shaken baby syndrome. Testifying by video link, pediatric radiologist Dr. Julie Mack told a St. John's courtroom that the baby could have had what amounted to a stroke. She said no one could generate enough force simply by shaking the baby to cause the bleeding on the brain that August Matchim had suffered.......... Matchim's sentencing was put on hold for more than a year because his new lawyers wanted to put expert evidence before the court to show that the injuries to his baby daughter could have happened some other way. Last week, neuropathologist Dr. David Ramsay told the court that August Matchim's injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome, but could have also been caused if the infant had a pre-existing condition that interfered with the flow of blood in her brain. Ramsay also noted that August didn't show any external signs of trauma, such as bruising or cuts."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2012/10/09/nl-109-shaken-baby-hearing-evidence.html
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Deborah Madden: California; Mistrial declared; Retrial deate set for crime lab tech accused of cocaine fraud. San Mateo Patch;
STORY: "Retrial date set for crime lab tech accused of cocaine fraud," published by the San Mateo Patch on October 6, 2012.
SUB-HEADING: "Deborah Madden, 62, of San Mateo, is accused of illegally acquiring cocaine from the laboratory's narcotics analysis unit in 2009."
GIST: "Madden's first trial in the court of U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco ended Wednesday with a hung jury. Jurors said after being dismissed that they were split at various times during the deliberations by a 10-2 or 9-3 vote in favor of conviction. During the first trial, defense attorney Paul DeMeester conceded that Madden took cocaine, but argued there was no proof of deception and said she just took "what's in front of her when she works." The new date was set by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston of San Francisco at a status conference Friday. The hearing was originally scheduled for Oct. 12, but was moved to today, DeMeester said. The defense attorney said jury selection is scheduled for Jan. 14 and opening statements and witness testimony will begin on Jan. 22, after the Martin Luther King holiday. DeMeester said that on Madden's behalf, he offered prosecutors a plea bargain in which she would plead guilty to a lesser charge of cocaine possession. But the federal prosecutors told him on Thursday that they declined the offer. A conviction on the possession charge would have carried a maximum sentence of one year in prison, while the maximum for the fraud charge is four years. In a separate case, Madden pleaded guilty in San Mateo County Superior Court in 2011 to possessing a small amount of cocaine found in her home in March 2010. She was sentenced to undergo drug counseling."
The entire story can be found at:
SUB-HEADING: "Deborah Madden, 62, of San Mateo, is accused of illegally acquiring cocaine from the laboratory's narcotics analysis unit in 2009."
GIST: "Madden's first trial in the court of U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco ended Wednesday with a hung jury. Jurors said after being dismissed that they were split at various times during the deliberations by a 10-2 or 9-3 vote in favor of conviction. During the first trial, defense attorney Paul DeMeester conceded that Madden took cocaine, but argued there was no proof of deception and said she just took "what's in front of her when she works." The new date was set by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston of San Francisco at a status conference Friday. The hearing was originally scheduled for Oct. 12, but was moved to today, DeMeester said. The defense attorney said jury selection is scheduled for Jan. 14 and opening statements and witness testimony will begin on Jan. 22, after the Martin Luther King holiday. DeMeester said that on Madden's behalf, he offered prosecutors a plea bargain in which she would plead guilty to a lesser charge of cocaine possession. But the federal prosecutors told him on Thursday that they declined the offer. A conviction on the possession charge would have carried a maximum sentence of one year in prison, while the maximum for the fraud charge is four years. In a separate case, Madden pleaded guilty in San Mateo County Superior Court in 2011 to possessing a small amount of cocaine found in her home in March 2010. She was sentenced to undergo drug counseling."
The entire story can be found at:
http://sanmateo.patch.com/articles/retrial-date-set-for-crime-lab-tech-accused-of-cocaine-fraud
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Sharon Keller: "We close at 5.00" comment comes back to haunt her; Dallas Morning news. (What time do the polls close? HL);
STORY: Hampton for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, published by the Dallas Morning News on October 7, 2012.
GIST: "The stakes are higher this year. The post now in question is held by a person who has brought embarrassment to the court. Presiding Judge Sharon Keller made herself and the state caricatures of indifference to justice, on more than one occasion, not just her infamous “we close at 5” comment that closed off a last-minute execution appeal. Voters have the chance to cleanse the court of a stain, and they should.........Keller, 59, was first elected to the court in 1994, pledging to be “pro-prosecution,” a chilling concept as we look at it in retrospect.
In 1998, she sided with a court majority that denied a retrial to a man serving 99 years for the rape-murder of a 16-year-old girl. DNA tests determined that semen on the victim was not Roy Criner’s, but Keller’s opinion speculated that he might have raped her with a condom. Fellow GOP Judge Tom Price said that made the court a “national laughingstock.” Gov. George W. Bush pardoned Criner in 2000, the year Keller won election to the court’s top job. It was in 2007 that Keller made national headlines again, telling an aide not to wait for a death-row inmate’s last-minute appeal — despite a waiting on-call judge — because “we close at 5.” The execution was carried out that evening."
http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20121007-editorial-hampton-for-texas-court-of-criminal-appeals.ece
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
"Willie Grimes: Innocence proven: Convicted after hair belonging to black man found on white woman; Never positively identified as his; Charlotte Observer;
STORY: "Panel overturns rape conviction against Willie Grimes in 1987 Hickory rape," published by the Charlotte Observer on October 5, 20112;
GIST: "A panel of judges on Friday overturned the rape conviction of Willie Grimes, who was imprisoned for more than two decades for the sexual assault of a Hickory woman. Grimes has long said that he did not commit the crime, and a state panel ruled this spring that enough evidence of his innocence existed. It referred the case to a three-judge panel to decide whether the conviction should be overturned. The panel has been meeting since Monday.........Court offered Grimes no sense of vindication, only more problems. He had asked Hickory police for a “rape kit” after they arrested him for the crime. He said that request actually hurt him. In court the prosecution said there was a strand of hair belonging to a black man on the items of the white rape victim. In court the hair was never positively identified at Grimes’ hair, just the hair of an African American man. Grimes said that he was at a house more than a mile-and-a-half away with friends who all testified that he was at the house during the time of the rape. But that testimony did not sway his jury. There was other evidence that never made it into the Catawba County courtroom for jurors to hear like fingerprints."
The entire story can be found at:
GIST: "A panel of judges on Friday overturned the rape conviction of Willie Grimes, who was imprisoned for more than two decades for the sexual assault of a Hickory woman. Grimes has long said that he did not commit the crime, and a state panel ruled this spring that enough evidence of his innocence existed. It referred the case to a three-judge panel to decide whether the conviction should be overturned. The panel has been meeting since Monday.........Court offered Grimes no sense of vindication, only more problems. He had asked Hickory police for a “rape kit” after they arrested him for the crime. He said that request actually hurt him. In court the prosecution said there was a strand of hair belonging to a black man on the items of the white rape victim. In court the hair was never positively identified at Grimes’ hair, just the hair of an African American man. Grimes said that he was at a house more than a mile-and-a-half away with friends who all testified that he was at the house during the time of the rape. But that testimony did not sway his jury. There was other evidence that never made it into the Catawba County courtroom for jurors to hear like fingerprints."
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/10/05/3578650/hearing-continues-in-1987-hickory.html
See Willie Grimes brief for his innocence hearing:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&ved=0CFAQFjAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.innocencecommission-nc.gov%2FForms%2Fpdf%2FGrimes%2FGrimes%2520full%2520scanned%2520Brief.pdf&ei=KVZxUJHjDILg0gHt5IDwDA&usg=AFQjCNFtJj1mDP9uHegZiZ5FexyRSHrr5Q&sig2=aQRp2LEWlH_cMVG2C7_1CQ
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring this case. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Annie Dookhan: Allegation that detective lied under oath about drug tests prompts judge's rebuke; Boston Herald.
STORY: "Perjury allegation prompts judge's rebuke," by reporters Matt Stout and O'Ryan Johnson, published by the Boston Herald on October 6, 2012.
GIST: "A lawyer for an accused drug dealer whose Suffolk Superior Court charges were the first to be tossed out yesterday in the wake of a state drug lab scandal claims a police detective lied to a grand jury “to explain the results that came out of the lab” handled by accused state drug chemist Annie Dookhan, a shocking allegation that brought a sharp response from prosecutors, police and even the judge. Judge Carol S. Ball accepted prosecutors’ request to drop cocaine distribution charges against Jeffrey Solomon, also known as Jeffrey Banks, yesterday. But Solomon’s lawyer, Victoria Kelleher, also claimed that Sgt. Detective Donald Keehan “perjured himself” in testimony to a grand jury. According to the grand jury minutes, Keenan said the initial field test of the substance he seized did not turn up a positive “blue” indicator. The evidence he believed to be crack cocaine, he said, “might not have been consistent and I may have grabbed a part where it wasn’t cocaine.” Under questioning, he testified he later saw the same evidence again and that there was “a small piece in there that’s blue ... the color (that) would come up for a positive result of cocaine.” But Kelleher said state police retested the sample and it was negative. “It’s simply impossible that it would’ve ever turned blue,” she said. “We reject the assertion the officer perjured himself,” a spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said. “The issue at hand was the officer’s field test, and he states unequivocally that the substance field tested negative for cocaine.”"
The entire story can be found at: GIST: "A lawyer for an accused drug dealer whose Suffolk Superior Court charges were the first to be tossed out yesterday in the wake of a state drug lab scandal claims a police detective lied to a grand jury “to explain the results that came out of the lab” handled by accused state drug chemist Annie Dookhan, a shocking allegation that brought a sharp response from prosecutors, police and even the judge. Judge Carol S. Ball accepted prosecutors’ request to drop cocaine distribution charges against Jeffrey Solomon, also known as Jeffrey Banks, yesterday. But Solomon’s lawyer, Victoria Kelleher, also claimed that Sgt. Detective Donald Keehan “perjured himself” in testimony to a grand jury. According to the grand jury minutes, Keenan said the initial field test of the substance he seized did not turn up a positive “blue” indicator. The evidence he believed to be crack cocaine, he said, “might not have been consistent and I may have grabbed a part where it wasn’t cocaine.” Under questioning, he testified he later saw the same evidence again and that there was “a small piece in there that’s blue ... the color (that) would come up for a positive result of cocaine.” But Kelleher said state police retested the sample and it was negative. “It’s simply impossible that it would’ve ever turned blue,” she said. “We reject the assertion the officer perjured himself,” a spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said. “The issue at hand was the officer’s field test, and he states unequivocally that the substance field tested negative for cocaine.”"
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061165621&srvc=rss
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring these cases. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Annie Dookhan: AP: Governor says this is about people who should not have been convicted and need justice done in their cases;
STORY: "DA: 300-500 defendants face release in la scandal." by reporter Lindsey Anderson, published by Associated Press, on October 5, 2012.
GIST: "About 300 to 500 defendants, including some ‘‘pretty dangerous people,’’ may be released into Boston streets because of the alleged mishandling of evidence at a Massachusetts drug lab, a prosecutor said Friday. Chemist Annie Dookhan is charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly skirting protocols and faking test results at the now-closed state drug lab. At least two dozen defendants whose cases Dookhan handled have been released, including career criminal and convicted rapist Marcus Pixley. Pixley was released on bail earlier this month but failed to show up for court Wednesday. Quincy police arrested him Friday. Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley said officials in Boston are ‘‘concerned that there may be violence’’ if other defendants and convicts are released and have discussed intervening in the lives of those who are freed in order to prevent repeat offenses.........Asked about public safety in light of the release of inmates, Gov. Patrick Deval said freeing them is not a ‘‘technicality.’’
GIST: "About 300 to 500 defendants, including some ‘‘pretty dangerous people,’’ may be released into Boston streets because of the alleged mishandling of evidence at a Massachusetts drug lab, a prosecutor said Friday. Chemist Annie Dookhan is charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly skirting protocols and faking test results at the now-closed state drug lab. At least two dozen defendants whose cases Dookhan handled have been released, including career criminal and convicted rapist Marcus Pixley. Pixley was released on bail earlier this month but failed to show up for court Wednesday. Quincy police arrested him Friday. Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley said officials in Boston are ‘‘concerned that there may be violence’’ if other defendants and convicts are released and have discussed intervening in the lives of those who are freed in order to prevent repeat offenses.........Asked about public safety in light of the release of inmates, Gov. Patrick Deval said freeing them is not a ‘‘technicality.’’
‘We are talking about people who shouldn’t have been convicted and who need to have justice done in their cases,’’ he said. ‘‘In terms of people who have other charges or records, there’s a
process for that, there’s a system for that and there’s public safety
officials who have responsibility for that,’’ he added."
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/10/05/defendants-face-release-lab-scandal/ulnH8anFO9kjcDcsV6xqsJ/story.html
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring these cases. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Colin Matchim Newfoundland: "Shaken Baby Syndrome" case. Medical evidence may clear him: Hearing continues throughout this week; VOCM;
STORY: "Hearing may clear Matchim," published by VOCM on October 3, 2012.
GIST: A medical expert testifying in defence of Colin Matchim, has taken the stand in Supreme Court. Matchim is accused of shaking his infant daughter, causing her to suffer brain injuries. Dr. David Ramsay, a neuro-pathologist, says it's possible there could be other causes that explain the injuries suffered by Matchim's daughter. The hearing will continue all week. Matchim had been accused of aggravated assault in May 2011, but since then his defense has asked to enter some new medical evidence that could clear Matchim of any wrong-doing.
BACKGROUND: Colin Matchim has been convicted and is still to be sentenced on a charge of aggravated assault of his infant daughter, allegedly by shaking her. He has, however, been given the opportunity to call expert evidence that there may be other explanations for his daughter's injuries, at a hearing that is proceeding this week.
GIST: A medical expert testifying in defence of Colin Matchim, has taken the stand in Supreme Court. Matchim is accused of shaking his infant daughter, causing her to suffer brain injuries. Dr. David Ramsay, a neuro-pathologist, says it's possible there could be other causes that explain the injuries suffered by Matchim's daughter. The hearing will continue all week. Matchim had been accused of aggravated assault in May 2011, but since then his defense has asked to enter some new medical evidence that could clear Matchim of any wrong-doing.
BACKGROUND: Colin Matchim has been convicted and is still to be sentenced on a charge of aggravated assault of his infant daughter, allegedly by shaking her. He has, however, been given the opportunity to call expert evidence that there may be other explanations for his daughter's injuries, at a hearing that is proceeding this week.
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=27130&popular=1
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring these cases. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Annie Dookhan: Massachusetts; Woman released half way through sentence; Lawyer says very "productive" lab people set her back. Boston Globe.
STORY: "Roxbury mother freed amid state drug lab scandal." by reporter Brian Ballou, published in the Boston Globe on October 4, 2012.
GIST: "Standing in the administrative offices of the South Middlesex Correctional Center in Framingham, Mylazia Johnson was handed a letter from her attorney. At first, she didn’t quite understand the import of the news it contained: She had a court date Sept. 28. And she could be released. “I read it again, and I was thinking it can’t be true,” said Johnson, of Roxbury, who was halfway through her 3½-year drug sentence. The attorney explained during a telephone call: Annie Dookhan, the former state chemist at the epicenter of a spiraling drug lab scandal, had been involved in testing the drugs in Johnson’s case...........Attorney Kathleen S. Lucey has represented two of those people, Johnson and Joshua P. Fernandes, who was freed last week in Plymouth Superior Court after serving about half of his sentence for cocaine trafficking and drug possession. Fernandes was convicted in March 2011. “Ms. Johnson was dealt a much tougher hand than most of us, but she never, ever gave up on herself, and she’s already doing good things and moving forward despite what very ‘productive’ lab people have done to set her back,” Lucey said."
The entire story can be found at:
http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/10/03/mother-released-from-prison-after-revelation-that-state-chemist-annie-dookhan-was-involved-testing-drugs-her-case/2dRxL1tevTkidqslmvviiO/story.html
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring these cases. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Annie Dookhan: Justin J. McShane rejects the "rogue chemist excuse" and notes jury deliberations have begun in the Deborah Madden drug lab trial.
STORIES: "The rogue chemist excuse: Just as real as the boogie man in the closet," and "Jury deliberations begin in SFPD crime lab cocaine theft trial," posted by Justin J. McShane, on "The truth about forensic science," on October 3, 2012.
GIST: "Jury deliberations": "A federal jury began deliberating
today in the case of a former San Francisco police crime laboratory
technician whose pilfering of cocaine led to the dismissal of
hundreds of drug cases. Deborah Madden, 62, of San Mateo, is accused in the court of U.S.
District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco of a federal charge of
obtaining cocaine from the lab in 2009 by means of
misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge. The accusation also contains a lesser charge of simple possession of cocaine. In closing arguments today, Madden’s lawyer, Paul DeMeester,
conceded that she took small amounts of cocaine and could be found
guilty of the lesser charge. But he maintained there was no proof of the element of deception
or subterfuge needed for a conviction on the heavier charge. “Ms. Madden had access to drugs that were
available to her in the laboratory and she simply took them,”
DeMeester told the jury. “There’s nothing scheming or fraudulent about it. She’s just taking what’s in front of her when she works,” he said. DeMeester ended by telling the jurors, “The state of the evidence
compels a not-guilty verdict on the charged offense, but it also
compels a guilty verdict on the lesser charged offense.” The charge of obtaining cocaine through fraud carries a maximum
sentence of four years in prison if Madden is convicted. The lesser
possession charge has a maximum punishment of one year in prison. Prosecutors contended Madden engaged in a series of deceptions
in order to be able to steal cocaine, including staying late at the
lab at night in the fall of 2009 so that she could be alone there.
GIST: "Rogue chemist': "The typical scenario is that there is
a press conference where all are told that they figured out the
problem and it was isolated to one person and one person only. They
claim it is not the whole laboratory. This is the Boogie Man in the closet
excuse. Of course, there is no such thing as the Boogie Man who lives
in the closet. Just like there is no such thing as the sole, rogue
chemist run a muck. It is an institutional problem. While a lot has been reported here about
Annie Dookhan, she is not the only person and not the Massachusetts
laboratory involved is not the only laboratory rocked by these
types of things. It isn’t aberrant. Mark my words: We are going to see more
and more and more of these types of cases as the defense bar becomes
more scientifically educated."
The entire stories can be found at:
http://www.thetruthaboutforensicscience.com/
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring these cases. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Annie Dookhan: Told police she tested some drug samples by looking at them. Fosters Daily Democrat.
STORY: "Chemist in Mass. lab scandal could see new charges," by reporters Denise Lavoie and Erika Niedowski, published by Fosters Daily Democrat on October 3, 2012.
GIST: "Annie Dookhan, 34, of Franklin, was arrested Friday in a burgeoning investigation that has already led to the shutdown of the lab, the resignation of the state's public health commissioner and the release of more than a dozen drug defendants. Many more defendants are expected to be released. Authorities say more than 1,100 inmates are serving time in cases in which Dookhan was the primary or secondary chemist.........Dookhan's supervisors have faced harsh criticism for not removing her from lab duties after suspicions about her were first raised by her co-workers and for not alerting prosecutors and police. However, Coakley said, there is no indication so far of criminal activity by anyone else at the lab. Co-workers began expressing concern about Dookhan's work habits several years ago, but her supervisors allowed her to continue working. Dookhan was the most productive chemist in the lab, routinely testing more than 500 samples a month, while others tested 50 to 150. One co-worker told state police he never saw Dookhan in front of a microscope. A lab employee saw Dookhan weighing drug samples without doing a balance check on her scale. In an interview with state police late last month, Dookhan acknowledged faking test results for two to three years. She told police she identified some drug samples as narcotics simply by looking at them instead of testing them, a process known as dry labbing. She also said she forged the initials of colleagues and deliberately turned a negative sample into a positive for narcotics a few times."
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121003/GJLIFESTYLES/120939967/-1/FOSLIFESTYLES
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring these cases. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Bulletin: Annie Dookhan; Crime lab scientist arrested for allegedly faking thousands of drug test results; Massive number of miscarriages of justice feared; CBS News.
STORY: "Massachusetts lab tech arrested for alleged improper handling of drug tests," by reporter Elaine Quijano, published on September 30, 2012. (Thanks to the Wrongful Convictions Blog for alerting us to this important story.)
GIST: "Police in Massachusetts on Friday arrested a crime lab scientist and accused her of faking thousands of tests that may have put innocent people behind bars. Annie Dookhan was arrested at her home outside Boston. Police said the former state crime lab chemist admitted that she altered or faked test results of drug cases assigned to her. Prosecutors said she went as far as adding cocaine to samples that were negative. "There was clearly a short cutting of corners," State Attorney General Martha Coakley said. "There was just getting this done as quickly as possible and all of that we're looking at." Officials said during her nine years the lab, Dookhan tested more than 60,000 drug samples. About 11,000 people now in jail were put there in part due to her work. Already more than a dozen have been released because of questions about how she handled evidence. "Everyone who's been convicted in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk in the last five to six years, is possibly the victim of a very substantial miscarriage of justice," defense attorney John Martin said. "On the other hand, a lot of very dangerous people might get out of jail." The entire story can be found at:
GIST: "Police in Massachusetts on Friday arrested a crime lab scientist and accused her of faking thousands of tests that may have put innocent people behind bars. Annie Dookhan was arrested at her home outside Boston. Police said the former state crime lab chemist admitted that she altered or faked test results of drug cases assigned to her. Prosecutors said she went as far as adding cocaine to samples that were negative. "There was clearly a short cutting of corners," State Attorney General Martha Coakley said. "There was just getting this done as quickly as possible and all of that we're looking at." Officials said during her nine years the lab, Dookhan tested more than 60,000 drug samples. About 11,000 people now in jail were put there in part due to her work. Already more than a dozen have been released because of questions about how she handled evidence. "Everyone who's been convicted in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk in the last five to six years, is possibly the victim of a very substantial miscarriage of justice," defense attorney John Martin said. "On the other hand, a lot of very dangerous people might get out of jail." The entire story can be found at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57522834/massachusetts-lab-tech-arrested-for-alleged-improper-handling-of-drug-tests/
See this link for story on special court sessions set up to deal with the influx of Annie Dookhan cases:
http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2012/10/01/special-court-session-deal-with-influx-annie-dookhan-cases-suffolk-county/mPaNAuLDhT7xkkqVXTirUM/story.html
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
I am monitoring these cases. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site. One word of caution: It may take several weeks for content from current posts to respond to the search. Search away!
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.
Adam Scott: UK; "Innocent victim' of avoidable contamination in DNA testing process; Jersey Evening Post;
STORY: "Rape accused was 'innocent victim," published by the Jersey Evening Post on October 1, 2012;
SUB-HEADING: "A man wrongly acccused and charged with raping a woman was the 'innocent victim' of an avoidable mistake, the forensics watchdog has said;
GIST: "Adam Scott was arrested and held in custody for months after a plastic tray containing a sample of his DNA was re-used in the analysis of a swab from a rape victim in Manchester by private firm LGC Forensics. Forensic science regulator Andrew Rennison said Mr Scott, from Devon, was an “innocent victim of avoidable contamination”. “The contamination was the result of human error by a technician who failed to follow basic procedures for the disposal of plastic trays used as part of a validated DNA extraction process,” he said. “The procedures themselves were not adequate, leading to no records maintained by the technicians and nothing done to mark used trays as such.” Mr Scott was charged on October 23 2011 over the rape of the woman in Plant Hill Park, Blackley, and remanded in custody until the case was withdrawn on March 7 this year, the regulator’s report said. It also emerged that the same error happened at least once before, on October 12 last year, the report added. That alone “should have triggered a more comprehensive response than that undertaken”, Mr Rennison said. “These errors were compounded by the failure at LGC to consider the possibility of contamination despite concerns expressed by the investigating officer about the reliability of the DNA profile.” He went on: “It is unlikely that the case against Mr Scott would ever have proceeded to trial and, in the absence of any further evidence, the case would probably have been discontinued. However, this is of little comfort to Mr Scott who was charged on October 23 2011 and remanded in custody on this case until it was withdrawn on March 7 2012.”
The entire story can be found at:
SUB-HEADING: "A man wrongly acccused and charged with raping a woman was the 'innocent victim' of an avoidable mistake, the forensics watchdog has said;
GIST: "Adam Scott was arrested and held in custody for months after a plastic tray containing a sample of his DNA was re-used in the analysis of a swab from a rape victim in Manchester by private firm LGC Forensics. Forensic science regulator Andrew Rennison said Mr Scott, from Devon, was an “innocent victim of avoidable contamination”. “The contamination was the result of human error by a technician who failed to follow basic procedures for the disposal of plastic trays used as part of a validated DNA extraction process,” he said. “The procedures themselves were not adequate, leading to no records maintained by the technicians and nothing done to mark used trays as such.” Mr Scott was charged on October 23 2011 over the rape of the woman in Plant Hill Park, Blackley, and remanded in custody until the case was withdrawn on March 7 this year, the regulator’s report said. It also emerged that the same error happened at least once before, on October 12 last year, the report added. That alone “should have triggered a more comprehensive response than that undertaken”, Mr Rennison said. “These errors were compounded by the failure at LGC to consider the possibility of contamination despite concerns expressed by the investigating officer about the reliability of the DNA profile.” He went on: “It is unlikely that the case against Mr Scott would ever have proceeded to trial and, in the absence of any further evidence, the case would probably have been discontinued. However, this is of little comfort to Mr Scott who was charged on October 23 2011 and remanded in custody on this case until it was withdrawn on March 7 2012.”
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.thisisjersey.com/news/uk-news/2012/10/01/rape-accused-was-innocent-victim/
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.
Monday, October 1, 2012
False confessions: How they contaminate everything and everyone they touch. Dr. Karen Franklin; "In The News." Must Read.
POST: "The taint of a false confession," by Karen Franklin, posted on "In The News" on September 30, 2012. Karen Franklyn a forensic psychologist
and adjunct professor at Alliant University in Northern California. She
is a former criminal investigator and legal affairs reporter.
GIST: "With the recent tidal wave of scholarly research into false confessions, informed forensic psychologists are by now tuned in to the phenomenon. We know, for example, that they played a role in one out of four DNAexoneration cases. We are aware of their compelling nature, and can cite examples such as the Central Park Jogger case in which they produced profound miscarriages of justice. But let's take it one step further. What if, once police elicit a false confession from a suspect, it contaminates everything and everyone in touches -- from the prosecutor, the judge, and even the suspect's own attorney all the way to the fingerprint identification and even, perhaps, the DNA match?
The entire post can be found at:
GIST: "With the recent tidal wave of scholarly research into false confessions, informed forensic psychologists are by now tuned in to the phenomenon. We know, for example, that they played a role in one out of four DNAexoneration cases. We are aware of their compelling nature, and can cite examples such as the Central Park Jogger case in which they produced profound miscarriages of justice. But let's take it one step further. What if, once police elicit a false confession from a suspect, it contaminates everything and everyone in touches -- from the prosecutor, the judge, and even the suspect's own attorney all the way to the fingerprint identification and even, perhaps, the DNA match?
That is the troubling thesis raised by Saul Kassin, a pioneer in the psychological study of false confessions, in an article in the current issue of the American Psychologist.".........All of this suggests that it is essential for courts to allow the
testimony of forensic experts who can explain the mechanisms of false
confessions, including both what types of police practices are more
likely to generate them, and what types of individual vulnerabilities
make a person especially prone to cave in under such pressure. More
broadly, this line of analysis suggests the need for changes in
police practices, for example an end to the routine practice of lying to
suspects about incriminating evidence, and greater government oversight
and regulation of police interrogations.
Moreover, safeguards on the analysis of supposedly independent
evidence, such as evidence technicians being blind to a suspect's
confession status, must be implemented in order to ensure that
corroborating evidence truly is independent."
The entire post can be found at:
http://forensicpsychologist.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-tainting-effects-of-false.html
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.