PUBLISHER'S NOTE: (Editorial): It was gratifying today to see publication of Rachel Aviv's story on the turn of events in the Rodricus Crawford case in The New Yorker, and the Associated Press story on his release on bail in The New York Times. This follows publication of an earlier story Associated Press story on Crawford's victory in The Louisiana Supreme Court ( the vacating of his first-degree murder conviction and the related death sentence), in news media in countries around the world - including Taiwan. Although short, today's Associated Press story (published by The New York Times) makes "the important point that the case focused attention on the parish's use of the death penalty under a previous district attorney. The new district attorney has said they are re-evaluating the case." The unnamed previous district attorney - Dale Cox, since resigned from his position - has been responsible for notorious miscarriages of justice - including the one meted out by the State of Louisiana to Rodricus Crawford - and his win at all costs approach to prosecutions, which has invoked Jesus Christ to get juries to convict and sanction the state's use of the death penalty, has tainted Louisiana's criminal justice system, if not drowning it in the swamps. Current District Attorney James Stewart, has the ideal opportunity to come to grip with his office's transgressions in the past, disassociate himself from them, clean them up, and and move, on a fresh slate, into the future. It's an ideal opportunity for Stewart because this is a case which cries out innocence: young Roderius died of sepsis triggered by pneumonia; A tragic, natural death. Never a murder. The grieving father should have been treated with love and sympathy, rather than being thrown on death row as his son's murderer. As news of the skewed prosecution of Rodricus Crawford has travelled around the world, D.A. Stewart must be all too aware that his decision as to whether or not to order a new trial - expected to be delivered in January - will be very widely and closely watched.
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog.
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STORY: "Defendant in Controversial Death Sentence Case Out on Bail," by The Associated Press, published by The New York Times on November 23, 2016.
GIST: "Following years on death row, a Louisiana man has been
released on bail after his murder conviction and sentence in the death
of his 1-year-old son were overturned. Deputy Jakenzie Bryant at the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office says Rodricus Crawford posted bail Tuesday evening. The
Louisiana Supreme Court on Nov. 16 overturned Crawford's 2013 murder
conviction and death sentence and called for a new trial. Crawford's
son died in 2012. Crawford told authorities he awoke to find the baby
unresponsive. Prosecutors argued Crawford smothered the boy. But the
defense argued the boy had pneumonia and could have died from natural
causes. The
case focused attention on the parish's use of the death penalty under a
previous district attorney. The new district attorney has said they are
re-evaluating the case."
The entire story can be found at:
The entire story can be found at:
