The former doctor Charles Randal Smith: namesake of this Blog: At last a definitive book of the notorious pathologist and his victims: It's 'Death in the Family' ... by CBC reporter John Chipman published by Doubleday/Random House, to be released on January 10, 2017)...."Among those charged to “think dirty” was Dr. Charles Smith, Ontario’s top pediatric forensic pathologist at the time. But with virtually no training in forensics, Dr. Smith was ill prepared for his work. Instead of basing his judgments on forensic evidence found during autopsies, he allowed himself to be swayed by circumstantial evidence. The defendants were often single mothers–some on welfare, some struggling with substance abuse. And they made for easy targets. Dr. Smith made dangerous assumptions, and the results were catastrophic. Numerous individuals were pronounced guilty, and incarcerated, on his shaky evidence. This penetrating investigative work explores the wide ripples of destruction caused when the justice system fails, the burden felt by ethical individuals working within that system and the importance of its victims finally being heard." (Publisher's backgrounder)..." I am particularly pleased to see the publication of this book by Doubleday/Random House, as I have always been deeply concerned that without such a work Smith will do his best to fill the vacuum with his usual mantra explaining actions as innocent 'errors' and 'mistakes' (as he did in his testimony at the Goudge Inquiry into many of his cases); I have been concerned that with the passage of time and indifference he will claim to be a victim of a vendetta by his jealous, lesser 'peers.' I have been concerned that he will drag out his well-worn fatuous claim that any other pathologist, with the knowledge available at the time, would have reached the same conclusions. HL);

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: A definitive book on disgraced  former doctor  Charles Smith by John Chipman is a major event.  John Chipman is a journalist, author and documentarian, and is currently a producer at CBC Radio's As It Happens. His work has taken him across Canada, to Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East. He has worked, written and edited for the National Post, The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star. He also co-produced a Gemini-award-winning television documentary for The Fifth Estate, and has done numerous radio documentaries and special features for The Current, Metro Morning and The Sunday Edition. He is the author of The Obsession: Tragedy in the North Atlantic. In my personal view, he is a Journalist with a capital 'J'  in the finest sense of the word.  I am particularly pleased to see the publication of this book by Doubleday/Random House, as I have always been deeply concerned that without such a work, Smith will be all to willingly  try and  fill the vacuum with his usual mantra explaining actions as innocent  errors and mistakes; I have been concerned that he will, with the passage of time and indifference  claim to be a victim of  a vendetta be his jealous, lesser 'peers.'  I have been  concerned that, without a true, popular account of Smith's actions and their impact on his victims,   Smith will drag out his well-worn fatuous  claim that any other pathologist, with the knowledge available at the time, would have reached the same conclusions. I haven't read 'Death in the Family 'yet - (can't wait to!) - but Julian Sher, also an outstanding journalist  whose opinions I  also trust,  has read the book, and writes in a blurb: “With the clinical precision and the driving passion for the truth that are the hallmarks of every great journalist,  John Chipman takes you on a harrowing journey into a parent’s worst nightmare: not only has your child died, but you are wrongly blamed for the death. Shocking, enraging and yet ultimately uplifting, Chipman’s investigation adds yet another haunting chapter to Canada’s long history of wrongful convictions.”Julian is author of “Until You Are Dead”: Steven Truscott’s Long Ride into History." Michael Harris, author of Justice Denied, Unholy Orders and Party of One, writes in an advance blurb: “Chipman explains how an incompetent pathologist helped convict innocent parents of their children’s deaths and allowed a murderer to go free. Brimming with emotional intelligence, the ending of this book is stunning. Bravo!”

Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog.

PUBLISHER'S DESCRIPTION: "In a work of vigorous reporting, careful analysis, deep compassion and unerring integrity, award-winning journalist and documentarian John Chipman investigates the lives left ruined in the wake of Dr. Charles Smith’s ignominious career.

BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER: "In the mid-’90s, the Ontario Coroner’s office decided that death investigation teams needed to “think dirty.” They wanted coroners, pathologists and police to be more suspicious–to “assume that all deaths are homicides until satisfied that they are not.” They were particularly concerned about pediatric deaths, which historically had been exceedingly difficult to investigate. There were usually no witnesses; no evidence to gather at the scene; no outward signs of trauma on the body. If the pathologist did not discover the truth of what had happened, child abuse could go uncovered.  Among those charged to “think dirty” was Dr. Charles Smith, Ontario’s top pediatric forensic pathologist at the time. But with virtually no training in forensics, Dr. Smith was ill prepared for his work. Instead of basing his judgments on forensic evidence found during autopsies, he allowed himself to be swayed by circumstantial evidence. The defendants were often single mothers–some on welfare, some struggling with substance abuse. And they made for easy targets. Dr. Smith made dangerous assumptions, and the results were catastrophic. Numerous individuals were pronounced guilty, and incarcerated, on his shaky evidence.  This penetrating investigative work explores the wide ripples of destruction caused when the justice system fails, the burden felt by ethical individuals working within that system and the importance of its victims finally being heard."

Random House Web page - with pre-ordering  for 'Death in the Family' at a reduced rate , at the link below:

 http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/228817/death-in-the-family-by-john-chipman/9780385680844/

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. 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.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html 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.