Tonya Lucas: Arson 'science.' Maryland; Bulletin: On-going arson, murder trial: WBALTV: Reporter Barry Simms; June 27, 2017...." Lucas has denied starting the fire. The defense has claimed someone else did it, or something else caused it."
"Jurors heard
more testimony Tuesday in the Tonya Lucas arson and murder trial, but
Lucas missed most of it during the afternoon, and the case proceeded
without her. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Marcus Sharr gave Lucas permission
to leave, and it could happen again as the trial moves forward because
of Lucas' medical condition. The judge told the jury that Lucas
had a necessary court-approved appointment. According to her attorneys,
Lucas will have to undergo chemotherapy treatments several times during
the trial. Her family said Lucas has stage four breast cancer. Prosecutors had asked to delay testimony in her absence, but the court decided to proceed with the case. Several
former Baltimore City firefighters described to jurors the day they
fought the fire in which six of Lucas' seven children died. Lt. Robert
Jordan said he arrived in the 2400 block of East Eager Street on July 7,
1992, and observed the back door was wide open and a second-floor
window was also open. He also said a woman was sitting out back on a
cinder block, her hands covering her face, saying, "My children are in
there, my children are in there. The woman, identified as Lucas, did not hear the lieutenant's testimony during her trial. Jordan
also said he could hear neighbors yelling, "There's children in there,
there's children in there. Get in there and save them." Assistant State's Attorney Rita Wisthoff-Ito asked, "Did you have to restrain anyone from going into the house?" Jordan replied, "No ma'am, not at all." Wisthoff-Ito then asked, "Did the young woman ever try to come up and go into the house?"Jordan replied, "No ma'am." Retired
firefighter August Pierson testified that he attempted CPR on a child
about 10 to 12 years old in an ambulance. He said someone brought an
infant in a car carrier to the medic unit. He said he thought it was a
doll at first because the baby's arms and legs were rigid, but he did
not stop CPR on the older child. Lucas has denied starting the fire. The
defense has claimed someone else did it, or something else caused it.
Jordan
said there was no fire in the basement, just heavy smoke and heat. He
helped turn off the gas and electric meters and found no indication of
fire at those connections."Jordan replied, "No ma'am."....................................................http://www.wbaltv.com/article/tonya-lucas-allowed-to-leave-arson-murder-trial/10230125 ............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/c 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;