Frits Van Beelen; South Australia: Bulletin; (Catch-up); Frits Van Beelen wins right to appeal conviction over 1971 Deborah Leach murder..." His appeal is one of several to follow a landmark ruling in the case of Henry Keogh, in which the Court of Criminal Appeal found that former chief forensic pathologist Dr Colin Manock presented flawed evidence at Keogh's original trial."... Dr Manock also testified in Van Beelen's trial and Van Beelen's lawyers argued the evidence about the time of death was clearly wrong. Two of the three South Australian justices hearing the appeal dismissed it, but Chief Justice Chris Kourakis said he would have allowed the appeal and ordered a retrial."..." Legal reform activist Dr Bob Moles previously said it would be important to test the legislation in the High Court. He also called for an inquiry into all cases that Dr Manock had been involved in to avoid the costly and lengthy process of going through individual appeals."...ABC News.

STORY: "Frits Van Beelen wins right to appeal conviction over 1971 Deborah Leach murder," by reporter Candice Prosser, published by ABC News on February 10, 2016.

PHOTO CAPTION: "Frits Van Beelen is now in his 70s and served 17 years for murder."

GIST: "A man convicted of murdering Adelaide teenager Deborah Leach more than 40 years ago has been granted permission to appeal against his conviction in the High Court. Frits Van Beelen, who is now in his 70s, served 17 years in prison for murdering 15-year-old Ms Leach at Taperoo Beach in Adelaide's north-west in July 1971. His appeal is one of several to follow a landmark ruling in the case of Henry Keogh, in which the Court of Criminal Appeal found that former chief forensic pathologist Dr Colin Manock presented flawed evidence at Keogh's original trial. Mr Keogh was freed from prison in December 2014 after the court quashed his murder conviction, the first such ruling under new legislation that allowed for new appeals on the grounds of fresh and compelling evidence. Van Beelen lodged an appeal under the same legislation in 2015, some 25 years after completing his jail term.Van Beelen's legal team have taken the case to the High Court seeking to appeal against the majority ruling. Legal reform activist Dr Bob Moles previously said it would be important to test the legislation in the High Court. He also called for an inquiry into all cases that Dr Manock had been involved in to avoid the costly and lengthy process of going through individual appeals."

The entire story can be found at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-10/frits-van-beelen-wins-right-to-appeal-40yo-murder-conviction/8259228?pfmredir=sm

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;