Bulletin: Nelson Hart. "Mr. Big" case. CBC News reports that the appeal has been argued - but gives no details as to the actual argument. The Crown was appealing a decision of the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal ordering a new trial after throwing out evidence collected through an undercover police sting, known as the "Mr. Big" scenario.

STORY: "Hart appeal argued before Supreme Court of Canada," published by CBC News on December 4, 2013.

GIST: "The Supreme Court of Canada heard an appeal Tuesday from Crown prosecutors who are trying to prevent the overturning of a guilty verdict against a father convicted of killing his twin daughters. Nelson Hart was convicted of murder in the 2002 drowning deaths of his three-year-old daughters, Krista and Karen, at Gander Lake. However, the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court of Appeal ordered a new trial, throwing out evidence collected through an undercover police sting,  known as the "Mr. Big" scenario. RCMP investigators captured Hart on videotape telling an undercover officer — whom Hart believed was a crime boss who wanted to hire him — that he was responsible for drowning his daughters. The Court of Appeal also ruled that Hart should have been allowed to testify in a closed court. The Crown is asking the Supreme Court of Canada to dismiss the lower court's ruling, and restore Hart's conviction and automatic life sentence. Hart remains in custody and is facing unrelated assault charges."

The entire story can be found at:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nelson-hart-appeal-argued-before-supreme-court-of-canada-1.2450236

Previously published editorial: "I find it hard to believe that some Canadian courts have sanctioned the highly dubious - but very effective - "Mr. Big" operation, which is usually used as a desperate measure by police when there is no other evidence against the suspect available. This  perverse tactic is of interest to this Blog because of the twisted psychology which has been permitted to enter the courtroom to justify the confession as voluntary - when in fact there is a great risk that the suspect has offered the confession to avoid violent recriminations from the fake "Mr Big." That's my point of view as Publisher. It will be most interesting to see what Canada's highest court ( a court which has been highly conservative when ruling on confession related cases in recent years - has to say when it considers the Hart and Mack  cases tomorrow - Tuesday December 3, 2013. PS: Panelists at a recent conference sponsored by the Association in defence of the wrongfully convicted  drew shivers from some members of the audience (myself included)   with the suggestion  that this Canadian practice could eventually find its way into the USA! Harold Levy; Publisher. The Charles Smith Blog;

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=120008354894645705#editor/target=post;postID=231605178242195655;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=15;src=link

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;