Fritz Van Beelen: Australia: Landmark case (involving evidence from controversial forensic scientist Dr, Colin Manock) heads to the High Court (Wednesday) - a case that could have huge implications for the South Australian government, Adelaide Now reports...""A murderer could sue the State Government for millions of dollars if the High Court quashes his conviction, a miscarriage of justice expert says. The case could also open the door for a retrospective re-examination of about 400 SA cases, according to law expert Dr Bob Moles."........."Dr Moles said it would be argued “Dr Manock’s timing of death”, of 4.30pm, was crucial to the appeal because Van Beelen had an alibi for about 4.40pm. Dr Manock fixed the time of Deborah’s death by relying on an analysis of her stomach contents – a method Van Beelen’s lawyers will argue has been disproved since by scientific advancement."..."Any person that has a conviction overturned would naturally have to think about compensation,” Dr Moles said. Dr Manock’s evidence was also criticised in Henry Keogh’s murder appeal. “If the (Van Beelen) conviction was overturned by the High Court it means the first (Van Beelen) and last cases (Keogh) Dr Manock was involved in have been overturned,” he said. “That raises obvious questions. He had given evidence at many trials which, according to his public statements, had resulted in 400 convictions. “I would say there are very strong arguments that those cases should be overturned.”

STORY: "Landmark Frits Van Beelen case heads to the High Court in a case that could have huge implications for the SA government," by reporter Matt Smith, published by Adelaide Now on June 17, 2017.

PHOTO CAPTION: "Law expert Dr Bob Moles says the Frits Van Beelen case could also open the door for a retrospective re-examination of about 400 SA cases.

"A murderer could sue the State Government for millions of dollars if the High Court quashes his conviction, a miscarriage of justice expert says. The case could also open the door for a retrospective re-examination of about 400 SA cases, according to law expert Dr Bob Moles. Australia’s highest court, sitting in Adelaide, will on Wednesday hear Frits Van Beelen’s appeal for the 1971 murder of Deborah Leach. Van Beelen, 69, who had previous convictions for sexual assault, was released from prison in 1990 after serving 17 years’ jail. He has consistently maintained his innocence. Supporters are hopeful he will clear his name off the back of evidence produced by controversial forensic scientist Dr Colin Manock. Dr Moles said it would be argued “Dr Manock’s timing of death”, of 4.30pm, was crucial to the appeal because Van Beelen had an alibi for about 4.40pm. Dr Manock fixed the time of Deborah’s death by relying on an analysis of her stomach contents – a method Van Beelen’s lawyers will argue has been disproved since by scientific advancement. “Any person that has a conviction overturned would naturally have to think about compensation,” Dr Moles said. Dr Manock’s evidence was also criticised in Henry Keogh’s murder appeal. “If the (Van Beelen) conviction was overturned by the High Court it means the first (Van Beelen) and last cases (Keogh) Dr Manock was involved in have been overturned,” he said. “That raises obvious questions. He had given evidence at many trials which, according to his public statements, had resulted in 400 convictions. “I would say there are very strong arguments that those cases should be overturned.”

The entire story can be found at:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/law-order/landmark-frits-van-beelen-case-heads-to-the-high-court-in-a-case-that-could-have-huge-implications-for-the-sa-government/news-story/58ef766e6ea73fb06686dbf633630252

 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;