POST: "Final thoughts" by Travis K. Kircher, published by WDRB on October 24, 2013.
GIST: "On Oct. 24, 2013, shortly after 12:30 p.m., a Boone County jury acquitted defendant David Camm of three counts of murder. The courtroom was packed, filled with representatives of the Renn, Camm and Lockhart families, as well as media and curious onlookers. Several chairs were added to the back of the courtroom to accommodate the interest. I personally counted 12 law enforcement members standing in the room, representing the Boone County Sheriff's Office, as well as the Lebanon Police Department. Court was gaveled into session. I couldn't tell exactly what time because the digital clock at the front of the courtroom didn't have a reading -- and my cell phone was turned off. "Thank you, be seated, and good morning!" Judge Jonathan Dartt said. He began by issuing a stern warning. "I know for all of you this is an emotional event," he said, but he added that he wanted to "remind everyone this is a courtroom." He warned everyone against emotional outbursts, telling them a story of a case he sat on in which several people became irate when the verdict was delivered. "About 12 people were in jail the whole next day," Judge Dartt said, dryly. "Cell phones should also be off," he said. Moments later: "Let's bring the jury in. All rise!" Everyone stood, including defendant David Camm, who was near the front of the courtroom in a black sport coat and blue and red striped tie. The jury filed in. Judge Dartt: Have they reached a verdict? "We have your honor," said a female juror. It is the first time we've heard her speak in two months. The verdict was delivered to Judge Dartt by the bailiff and he began to read: On the count of the murder of Kim Camm: Not Guilty. On the count of the murder of Bradley Camm: Not Guilty. On the count of the murder of Jill Camm: Not Guilty. From the first "not guilty," there was a collective gasp from several in the Lockhart family, then many of them burst into tears. Donnie Camm -- David Camm's brother -- was wearing what appeared to be a red baseball jersey with the word "Camm" on the back, and was rocking and weeping. Julie Blankenbaker, David Camm's sister, was crying. Gary Dunn, a private investigator for the defense team, was crying. Katharine Liell, David Camm's defense attorney in his second trial, was crying. David Camm himself was weeping, with loud sobs coming from the front of the courtroom. The jurors appeared unemotional. It was a different story on the other side of the room. Frank and Janice Renn sat in their chairs, their heads bowed, silently. Judge Dartt congratulated the jurors, as well as the alternates, adding that, "sometimes the alternates have the worst job in the world." He then ordered that David Camm be escorted out of the courtroom "for processing and release." When the final "All rise" was called, Camm stood only briefly, then seemed to sink back into his chair, sobbing.........Finally: Thanks to everyone who has been following this blog for the past couple of months. Many of you have sent in your encouragement, via e-mails or online comments. And several of you have come up to us personally and spoken with us in the courtroom. We're honored that you would trust us to provide you with coverage of this trial. More than anything, I hope we were fair. And I hope we covered this case in a way that was respectful of the parties involved, especially Kim, Brad and Jill. This concludes the David Camm Blog, which covered the trial beginning with jury selection on Aug. 12, to the final verdict."
The entire post can be found at:
http://www.wdrb.com/story/23782303/david-camm-blog-final-thoughts
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/
Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.
I look forward to hearing from readers at:
hlevy15@gmail.com;
