Louis Taylor: Arizona; Arson "science." Released after serving 42 years; Maintained his innocence from the outset - but was anyone listening? Morning Journal;

STORY: "Innocent explanations: Series focuses on the innocent behind bars, " by Kaylee Remington, published by the Morning Journal on October 27, 2013.

PHOTO CAPTION:  "Attorney Edward Novak, of Phoenix, speaks about the case of Louis Taylor who was convicted of arson for the Dec. 1970 fire at Pioneer Hotel in Tuscon. Taylor has maintained his innocence and was released this year after having spent 42 years in prison. Taylor was 16 at the time of the fire."

GIST:Attorney Edward Novak said Louis Taylor spent 15,000 hours behind bars for arson that killed 29 people, but he maintains he did not commit crime. Taylor’s time in prison caught the attention of many, including the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers which presented its annual Superstar Series on Friday at Oberlin College.........Attorney Edward Novak said Louis Taylor spent 15,000 hours behind bars for arson that killed 29 people, but he maintains he did not commit crime. Attorney Anthony Rich, president-elect of Defense Lawyers group, said this year’s event was set to focus on the innocent explanations that are overlooked in criminal case prosecution.........Rich said Taylor was convicted on “junk science,” meaning newer technology is available to properly convict someone of arson. The innocent explanations have been overlooked, he said. Taylor had been looking for food at a Hughes Aircraft party at the hotel when the fire started, Novak said. Taylor was in the hotel when the blaze broke out and was helping people escape the hotel, he said. A hotel employee told police he saw a black man acting suspicious, referring to Taylor, Novak said. Police arrested Taylor and interrogated him. Taylor was not allowed to speak to his parents or a lawyer, he said. Police interviews with Taylor were not recorded. “Louis maintained his innocence,” Novak said. “When he was asked if he started the fire, he said ‘no.’ But it isn’t in the report.” Novak said there was no evidence that the fire was intentional or that Taylor did it. The only evidence was the employee who reported that a black man was acting suspicious, he said. Taylor had matches on him the night of the fire, but Novak said that Taylor is a smoker and it is common for smokers to have matches. The matches were the prosecution’s base, Novak said. A fire investigator did not interview witnesses or read interview reports stemming from the fire, Novak said. No matter what the outcome would have been in the trial, people would still say “that kid started the fire,” Novak said. Taylor is back in Arizona trying to live a normal life, he said."

The entire story can be read at:

http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20131027/innocent-explanations-series-focuses-on-the-innocent-behind-bars

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


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