EDITORIAL: "Looking for trouble in past arson cases," published by the Dallas News on October 25, 2013.
GIST: "Don’t go looking for trouble where bad arson convictions are concerned. That’s
the gist of a West Texas district attorney’s request to Attorney
General Greg Abbott — essentially a request for roadblocks to analyzing
old arson cases where modern science casts new light on expert testimony
used to convict people. Problem is, the trouble can’t hide. It’s
already clear that the justice system has allowed junk science into
Texas courtrooms. It would be a travesty to turn a blind eye to the
injustice that has caused, and Abbott should not be a party to it......... It doesn’t become the district attorney to try to
build a wall against the truth. Opponents of the Willingham inquiry
tried that, and the Forensic Science Commission refused to wear the
muzzle. It’s a credit to Connealy that he is taking seriously the duty
to correct. This year, state lawmakers struck two more blows for
modernized forensic standards. One, they clarified the Forensic Science
Commission’s authority to pursue arson cases. Two, they passed a law to
give appeals courts new rationale to overturn convictions secured
through outmoded forensic work. Through the court system, the
state wields awesome power over an individual’s liberties. There should
be no tolerance for any vestiges of junk science to remain in the
state’s legal arsenal."
The entire editorial can be found at:
http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20131025-editorial-looking-for-trouble-in-past-arson-cases.ece?nclick_check=1
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
Dear Reader. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog. We are following this case.
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.
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
I look forward to hearing from readers at:
hlevy15@gmail.com;
