Bulletin: Gerry Barton; Nova Scotia; His lawyer alleges in closing argument that a purported statement was either fabricated or the result of subtle persuasion by RCMP. Canadian Press;

STORY: "Gerry Barton wrongful conviction suit drops claim against province: 64-year-old still suing RCMP for negligent investigation, reported by Canadian Press,  published by CBC News on April 10, 2014.

PHOTO CAPTION:  "Gerry Barton, who was wrongfully convicted of rape in 1970, is seeking compensation in the $500,000 range and an apology. (CBC);"

GIST: "Barton's lawyer, Dale Dunlop, told the Nova Scotia Supreme Court that his client was the victim of a negligent investigation by the RCMP, alleging the statement was either fabricated or the result of subtle coercion. Earlier this week, Barton testified that he never spoke to police and didn't plead guilty to the crime. He said the sexually explicit terms in the statement were words he wouldn't have understood at the time. In his closing argument, Dunlop said the lead RCMP investigator, corporal Earl Hamilton, could have manufactured the statement, or he could have encouraged Barton to say he had consensual sex with the girl to wrap up the case and spare the accused from facing a more serious rape charge. "The only conclusion you can come to is that this statement wasn't taken properly," Dunlop told Justice James Chipman, who reserved judgment and is taking written submissions on a charter argument in the case on April 25."

The entire story can be found at:

 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/gerry-barton-wrongful-conviction-suit-drops-claim-against-province-1.2605319?cmp=rss

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.