COMMENTARY: "Rick Perry killed an innocent man," by Thom Hartmann, published by Talk Radio News on March 12, 2014: (Thom Hartmann is a progressive nationally and internationally
syndicated talkshow host (also simulcast as TV in 40 million homes by
Dish Network/Free Speech TV), and New York Times bestselling, four-time
Project Censored winning author of 24 books in print in 17 languages on
five continents.
SUB-HEADING: "Newly uncovered evidence suggests that Willingham, who maintained his innocence until his death, was in fact an innocent man."
GIST: "Willingham’s original conviction relied on two major pieces of evidence: an analysis of the fire by arson investigators, and the testimony of a jailhouse informant. In the years since Willingham was executed, the arson investigation that was a key pillar of his case has been discredited. Questions have been raised over the analysis done by the arson investigators, and the science that was used in the case. It looks now like it was just a tragic house fire. And as for the jailhouse informant that allegedly heard Willingham confess to the crime, new evidence suggests that informant was offered a deal by the prosecution in return for his testimony. The judge had earlier denied cutting a deal, but now the deal’s been found, in the judges own handwriting. So, it’s looking increasingly more likely that Rick Perry executed an innocent man. And not just an innocent man – a father who discovered his house on fire and was unable to save his three daughters, grieving and distraught, and then thrown in jail and accused of intentionally burning his own house down to kill his kids. Which he probably didn’t do. He was just a grieving father. Who’s now been killed by Rick Perry.".........Rick Perry is on the record saying that Cameron Todd Willingham was a “monster,” but it’s increasingly looking like Perry is the real monster here. Not only has he put a likely-innocent man to death, he’s continuing the use of an immoral and inhumane process, that doesn’t even meet its own goals.
America has always sought to be that “shining city upon a hill,” but we can’t possibly hope to be seen that way by the world or even by ourselves if we continue perpetrating state-run murders. The eyes of the world are on us. It’s time to lead by example, and thus to get rid of the death penalty once and for all."
The entire commentary can be found at:
SUB-HEADING: "Newly uncovered evidence suggests that Willingham, who maintained his innocence until his death, was in fact an innocent man."
GIST: "Willingham’s original conviction relied on two major pieces of evidence: an analysis of the fire by arson investigators, and the testimony of a jailhouse informant. In the years since Willingham was executed, the arson investigation that was a key pillar of his case has been discredited. Questions have been raised over the analysis done by the arson investigators, and the science that was used in the case. It looks now like it was just a tragic house fire. And as for the jailhouse informant that allegedly heard Willingham confess to the crime, new evidence suggests that informant was offered a deal by the prosecution in return for his testimony. The judge had earlier denied cutting a deal, but now the deal’s been found, in the judges own handwriting. So, it’s looking increasingly more likely that Rick Perry executed an innocent man. And not just an innocent man – a father who discovered his house on fire and was unable to save his three daughters, grieving and distraught, and then thrown in jail and accused of intentionally burning his own house down to kill his kids. Which he probably didn’t do. He was just a grieving father. Who’s now been killed by Rick Perry.".........Rick Perry is on the record saying that Cameron Todd Willingham was a “monster,” but it’s increasingly looking like Perry is the real monster here. Not only has he put a likely-innocent man to death, he’s continuing the use of an immoral and inhumane process, that doesn’t even meet its own goals.
America has always sought to be that “shining city upon a hill,” but we can’t possibly hope to be seen that way by the world or even by ourselves if we continue perpetrating state-run murders. The eyes of the world are on us. It’s time to lead by example, and thus to get rid of the death penalty once and for all."
The entire commentary 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.
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;
