STORY: "David Eastman inquiry: Not enough evidence to convict, former prosecutor says, by reporter Christopher Knaus, published by the Canbarra Times on February 18, 2014.
GIST: "A retired judge who formerly worked as a lawyer on the inquest into Colin Winchester's death does not believe there was enough evidence to convict David Eastman of murder. Last week, the inquiry into the conviction of Eastman for the 1989 killing of Assistant Federal Police Commissioner Winchester heard evidence from John Dee, former deputy head of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and Victorian County Court judge. Mr Dee said he was ‘‘appalled’’ over the use of a key forensic expert in the 1995 murder trial and he warned police of his concerns about the witness in 1989. Acting Justice Brian Martin said the former prosecutor’s opinion was not particularly relevant to the inquiry, but the fact he disclosed his concerns about independent forensic expert Robert Barnes to the AFP may be. One of the inquiry’s terms of reference is to look at whether there was proper disclosure to the defence of information casting doubt on the veracity and reliability of Mr Barnes.........James Robertson, a professorial fellow at the University of Canberra and the director of the National Centre for Forensic Studies, also gave evidence to the Eastman inquiry last week. Professor Robertson was formerly the head of AFP forensic services from about 1989 to 2010. Soon after taking up his role with the AFP, he said he expressed concerns about Mr Barnes, and whether he was qualified to undertake the forensic work involved in the Eastman case. Professor Robertson said in an affidavit he had believed Mr Barnes oversold his qualifications and went too far in the witness box. He said that he had told the head of the investigation, Commander Richard Ninness, of his concerns, saying he told him that Mr Barnes’ work should have been reviewed."
GIST: "A retired judge who formerly worked as a lawyer on the inquest into Colin Winchester's death does not believe there was enough evidence to convict David Eastman of murder. Last week, the inquiry into the conviction of Eastman for the 1989 killing of Assistant Federal Police Commissioner Winchester heard evidence from John Dee, former deputy head of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and Victorian County Court judge. Mr Dee said he was ‘‘appalled’’ over the use of a key forensic expert in the 1995 murder trial and he warned police of his concerns about the witness in 1989. Acting Justice Brian Martin said the former prosecutor’s opinion was not particularly relevant to the inquiry, but the fact he disclosed his concerns about independent forensic expert Robert Barnes to the AFP may be. One of the inquiry’s terms of reference is to look at whether there was proper disclosure to the defence of information casting doubt on the veracity and reliability of Mr Barnes.........James Robertson, a professorial fellow at the University of Canberra and the director of the National Centre for Forensic Studies, also gave evidence to the Eastman inquiry last week. Professor Robertson was formerly the head of AFP forensic services from about 1989 to 2010. Soon after taking up his role with the AFP, he said he expressed concerns about Mr Barnes, and whether he was qualified to undertake the forensic work involved in the Eastman case. Professor Robertson said in an affidavit he had believed Mr Barnes oversold his qualifications and went too far in the witness box. He said that he had told the head of the investigation, Commander Richard Ninness, of his concerns, saying he told him that Mr Barnes’ work should have been reviewed."
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/david-eastman-inquiry-not-enough-evidence-to-convict-former-prosecutor-says-20140218-32xuu.html
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.ca/2013/12/the-charles-smith-award-presented-to_28.html
I look forward to hearing from readers at:
hlevy15@gmail.com.
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