PUBLISHER'S NOTE (1): In a recent post, this post a highlighted the British publication, 'The Guardian' featured a story on the case of Rodricus Crawford, who shows all the signs of being an innocent man on Louisiana's death row. Convicted on the basis of flawed medical evidence, there is a risk that he will be executed in the face of new medical evidence pointing to his innocence. The preamble to this Blog's previous post read as follows: 'The Guardian takes a look at Louisiana - America's death penalty capital - and asks, through the Rodricus Crawford case, if a black DA (James Stewart) can really change the system?..."He (Stewart) has also remained quiet on the Rodricus Crawford case, even though he has the power to drop charges or dismiss an indictment, even if the person has already been convicted – which is what Crawford, who was sentenced to death, is hoping for. Cecelia Trenticosta Kappel, senior attorney with the Justice Center, says the hope was that Stewart would “see that the state’s theory that Rodricus Crawford decided to murder his son out of nowhere is implausible, unsupported by evidence, and based on abject stereotypes”. According to Crawford’s attorneys and evidence submitted with his petition, she says that “the state’s case for capital murder essentially rested on two pieces of evidence: brain swelling and a busted lip. New evidence proves that the brain swelling was absolutely inconsistent with smothering; and had the state’s forensic pathologist followed standard medical protocol, the timing of the lip injury could have been conclusively proven.” In spite of these facts, Stewart’s office has filed an opposition brief to Crawford’s petition that his sentence be overturned. The brief, which rehashes the former prosecutor’s arguments in favor of the death penalty, is eerily reminiscent of Cox. So too is Stewart’s perspective on religion. “Some people get caught up in the separation of church and state. To me, all authority comes from God,” he said during an interview. Still, which “God” will you get? The one that has entire communities asking for mercy, or the one that had Cox demanding death?" (Must, Must Read. HL);' ... My entire post on the Guardian story, which ran recently on April 23, can be found at the link below:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.ca/2016/04/rodricus-crawford-louisiana-guardian.html
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog.
THE PETITION: "On
February 16, 2012, I was awoke startled by a lot of commotion. As I
rose, I quickly learned that my brother’s one-year-old BoBo was not
moving in the bedroom, and my family was panicking -- calling 911
non-stop without much help. An ambulance arrived more than 25 minutes
later, but it was too late. Not only did we lose my nephew that day, we lost my
27-year-old brother Rodricus, who now sits in a state penitentiary cell
on a death sentence for a crime he did not commit. He is one of
the youngest people on death row in our home state of Louisiana after
being convicted by a district attorney known to be dismissive of racism
yet quick to punish people like my brother with death penalties. It’s been four-plus years, but the one thing remains clear to
me, medical professionals and legal experts is that a significant
injustice has taken place. My brother is not guilty of killing his son. What Rodricus is guilty
of is being poor and black in one of the most racist places in the
country according to recent research. You see here in Caddo Parish, the
judicial system has sentenced more people to death than any other place
in the US in recent years. My innocent brother is next in line. The promising news is that a new district attorney has taken office
and new medical evidence has recently come forward. I need your help to
make sure that I don’t soon lose another loved one soon. Please plead Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart to free Rodricus from prison before it’s too late. In addition to abject stereotypes, we know that Rodricus was
convicted on inconsistent evidence. The prosecutor’s case for conviction
and death rested on two unsupported pieces of evidence: brain swelling
and a busted lip. It was known that BoBo had suffered from a fall after
slipping on the bathroom floor the day before his death. He was also
suffering from pneumonia, though we did not know that at the time. New medical evidence proves that the brain swelling was inconsistent with smothering.
Forensic pathologists tell us that my little nephew suffered from
septic shock -- which can happen quickly and without warning -- caused
by what is known as bronchopneumonia, a leading killer of small
children. The prosecutor’s conviction was based on the testimony of a
pathologist whose medical examination findings were faulty and
incomplete. My brother lives with the pain of the loss of his son BoBo every day
-- an innocent man should not be further punished with death. District Attorney Stewart has the power to end this nightmare for our family and seek true justice for Rodricus. Please help us!"
PUBLISHER'S NOTE (2): I implore this Blog's readers to support this petition and encourage others to access the following link support this petition, and join me in sending this crucial message to Attorney General Stewart. A likely innocent man's life is at stake.
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;
PUBLISHER'S NOTE (2): I implore this Blog's readers to support this petition and encourage others to access the following link support this petition, and join me in sending this crucial message to Attorney General Stewart. A likely innocent man's life is at stake.
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;
PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
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.
Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com;
Harold Levy;
Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog;
