STORY: "Consistency important with DNA evidence," by reporters Dennis
Palmitier and Timpothy P. Howsare, published by the Pampa News on
February 4, 2014;
GIST: "On Monday before arguments began, defense requested to include as a new witness, a neighbor of Busby’s who purportedly could identify a windbreaker-type jacket with blood stains on it found at the crime scene. The state objected because the state and the defense had a disclosure agreement before the hearing on what evidence would be deliberated. Judge Steven R. Emmert of the 31st District ruled in favor of the state, denying admission of the jacket. .. In a statement emailed to the press after the hearing, Skinner’s defense attorneys, Robert C. Owen and Douglas G. Robinson, said the state has not presented any dramatic new evidence confirming Skinner’s guilt. “On the contrary, the testimony confirmed DNA from an unknown person, along with Twila Busby’s blood, on a dishtowel that had been secreted in a plastic garbage bag at the crime scene,” the attorneys wrote. “Moreover, the DNA test results were at odds with the state’s theory of the crime. If Mr. Skinner stabbed Randy Busby in the manner claimed by the state, Mr. Skinner’s blood should have been on the blanket of Randy’s bed. It was not. “If Mr. Skinner’s hands were covered with the victims’ blood when he staggered out of the house, their blood should have been mixed with his on the doorknobs he touched. It was not. And Mr. Skinner’s DNA on the common kitchen knife used in the crimes could have come from his innocently using it as a resident of the house and being cut with it by the assailant.”...Emmert did not issue a definitive ruling at the conclusion of the hearing. Both parties will have an opportunity to submit written arguments in late February, and the judge will issue a definitive ruling after considering those arguments."
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.thepampanews.com/news/article_9a848daa-8dfe-11e3-9442-001a4bcf6878.htmlGIST: "On Monday before arguments began, defense requested to include as a new witness, a neighbor of Busby’s who purportedly could identify a windbreaker-type jacket with blood stains on it found at the crime scene. The state objected because the state and the defense had a disclosure agreement before the hearing on what evidence would be deliberated. Judge Steven R. Emmert of the 31st District ruled in favor of the state, denying admission of the jacket. .. In a statement emailed to the press after the hearing, Skinner’s defense attorneys, Robert C. Owen and Douglas G. Robinson, said the state has not presented any dramatic new evidence confirming Skinner’s guilt. “On the contrary, the testimony confirmed DNA from an unknown person, along with Twila Busby’s blood, on a dishtowel that had been secreted in a plastic garbage bag at the crime scene,” the attorneys wrote. “Moreover, the DNA test results were at odds with the state’s theory of the crime. If Mr. Skinner stabbed Randy Busby in the manner claimed by the state, Mr. Skinner’s blood should have been on the blanket of Randy’s bed. It was not. “If Mr. Skinner’s hands were covered with the victims’ blood when he staggered out of the house, their blood should have been mixed with his on the doorknobs he touched. It was not. And Mr. Skinner’s DNA on the common kitchen knife used in the crimes could have come from his innocently using it as a resident of the house and being cut with it by the assailant.”...Emmert did not issue a definitive ruling at the conclusion of the hearing. Both parties will have an opportunity to submit written arguments in late February, and the judge will issue a definitive ruling after considering those arguments."
The entire story can be found at:
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.
