STORY: "Bills seek moratorium on destroying DNA evidence," by reporter Rachel La Corte, published by Associated Press on January 27, 2014.
GIST: "The destruction of DNA evidence in some criminal cases has prompted the introduction of measures in the state House and Senate that would impose an 18-month moratorium on such actions. The bills, sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall and Sen. Jeannie Darneille, also would create a work group to recommend permanent, statewide standards for preserving DNA material. The group would present its recommendations to the Legislature and governor by Dec. 1. Under current law, there is no requirement to preserve DNA evidence after a conviction, though defense attorneys can seek a court order to do so. The Innocence Project Northwest at the University of Washington's Law School brought the idea to Orwall and Darneille after reviewing about 70 potential DNA cases between 2011 and 2013 and finding that in 25, including murder and rape prosecutions, biological evidence was destroyed in eight cases and lost in one.........Orwall, D-Des Moines, said she was surprised to learn about inconsistency in how DNA is handled after a conviction. "It could make the difference in someone being exonerated or remaining in prison," she said."
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Bills-seek-moratorium-on-destroying-DNA-evidence-5178710.php
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.co
