David Eastman: Inquiry; Australia; His former prosecutor cannot explain why Eastman’s defence lawyers did not receive a range of material that potentially raised questions about the case’s key forensic witness - Robert Barnes - whose evidence was critical in the circumstantial case against Eastman, and linked him with gunshot residue found at the murder scene near assistant commissioner Colin Winchester’s home. Canberra Times;

inShareSTORY: "David Eastman inquiry: former prosecutor 'shocked' evidence wasn't given to the defence," published by the Canbarra Times on March 14, 2014.

GIST: "The man responsible for marshalling forensic evidence used against the accused killer of the ACT’s police chief says prosecutors had ‘‘nothing to hide’’ from David Eastman’s defence team. But former prosecutor John Edward Ibbotson cannot explain why Eastman’s defence did not receive a range of material that potentially raised questions about the case’s key forensic witness, describing the revelations as ‘‘shocking’’. ‘‘All I know was that I tried to make sure the defence had everything because I knew David Eastman,’’ Mr Ibbotson said on Friday. ‘‘Everything you’ve shown me should have gone to the defence, I’m sorry, if it didn’t, I have no idea why.’’ The Eastman inquiry - ordered in 2012 after fresh doubt was raised about conviction - is investigating whether the prosecution complied with its duty to hand over all relevant information on the case to the accused’s defence team before trial.The inquiry has uncovered a series of reports, apparently never disclosed to the defence, that relate to the damning evidence of key forensic witness Robert Barnes. Mr Barnes’ evidence was critical in the circumstantial case against Eastman, and linked him with gunshot residue found at the murder scene near assistant commissioner Colin Winchester’s home."
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http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/david-eastman-inquiry-former-prosecutor-shocked-evidence-wasnt-given-to-defence-20140314-34r10.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/charlessmith

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;