Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Ed Graf Jr: Arson "science" case: As jury selection draws near (October 6), one of his lawyers says, "I think that if he's fairly tried according to real science I think we're going to see a result that might astonish people." KXXV-TV News;


COUNTDOWN: 22 days to Wrongful Conviction Day: (Thursday October 2, 2014);

STORY: "Second trial for Ed Graf Jr. brings difficulties 25 years after the alleged crime," by reporter Adam Hammons, published by KXXV-TV News  on September 5, 2014.

SUB-HEADING: "What information potential jurors receive could be an issue leading up to a retrial of a capital murder case."

GIST: "The defense argued Friday morning that potential jurors might be prejudice if they don't understand why Graf is being tried 25 years after the alleged crime. Jeff Blackburn works for Innocence Project of Texas and worked to get the retrial. He says that issue will be very difficult. "You know that's a real 800 pound gorilla that's just sitting in the room, you can't get around that. And the idea that you could even find a juror some where who never heard of it or just thinks that oh 25 years later I guess they're just bringing the charges up for the first time, that kind of stretches the imagination a little bit," Blackburn said. Blackburn also says this case is one of the very first to be retried after previous arson science was debunked. One of Graf's attorney's called this case an anomaly. "Mr. Graf's case is extremely significant because it's really and truly a great example of how justice is supposed to unfold in this state," Blackburn said. "I think that if he's fairly tried according to real science I think we're going to see a result that might astonish people." Jury selection is set to begin October 6."

The entire story can be found at:

http://www.kxxv.com/story/26461673/second-trial-for-ed-graf-jr-brings-difficulties-25-years-after-the-alleged-crime

For background on Wrongful Conviction Day see the following link:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.ca/2014/06/wrongful-convictions-day-aidwyc.html
 
Interested participants may sign up by contacting Win Wahrer of The Association in Defence of the Wrongfully Convicted at: winwahrer@aidwyc.org.


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;