Tonya Lucas: Maryland; Bulletin: Arson 'science'. On-going trial; "Deliberations will continue next week in retrial of mother accused of killing 6 children in fire in 1992," the Baltimore Sun reports...Reporter Jessica Anderson. July 28, 2017... "During a four-week retrial, prosecutors again sought to show jurors that Lucas intentionally set fire to her East Baltimore home, in the 2400 block of E. Eager St., in hopes of receiving rental assistance from the Red Cross. They also allege she set the fire to cover up her abuse of her 2-year-old son, Gregory Cook, who weighed just 10 pounds. But Lucas’ attorneys have argued the state’s case was weak because prosecutors did not back up the alleged motive that she burned the house to receive assistance. They said their client was receiving other government assistance to support her family, and did not need help from the Red Cross. Lucas’ conviction was overturned over concerns to the fire science involved in the case. Her attorneys have said the original investigators did not consider all possible accidental causes." Lucas’ conviction was overturned over concerns to the fire science involved in the case. Her attorneys have said the original investigators did not consider all possible accidental causes."

 

"Jurors will continue deliberations next week in the trial of a woman accused of intentionally setting a fire to her East Baltimore home 25 years ago, killing her six children. The case was sent to the panel on Monday in the trial of Tonya Lucas, 54, who was previously convicted in 1993 of six counts of first-degree felony murder and was serving six consecutive life terms. But that conviction was overturned in December 2015 due to discredited arson investigation methods. During a four-week retrial, prosecutors again sought to show jurors that Lucas intentionally set fire to her East Baltimore home, in the 2400 block of E. Eager St., in hopes of receiving rental assistance from the Red Cross. They also allege she set the fire to cover up her abuse of her 2-year-old son, Gregory Cook, who weighed just 10 pounds. But Lucas’ attorneys have argued the state’s case was weak because prosecutors did not back up the alleged motive that she burned the house to receive assistance. They said their client was receiving other government assistance to support her family, and did not need help from the Red Cross. Lucas’ conviction was overturned over concerns to the fire science involved in the case. Her attorneys have said the original investigators did not consider all possible accidental causes."  Lucas’ conviction was overturned over concerns to the fire science involved in the case. Her attorneys have said the original investigators did not consider all possible accidental causes."

The entire story can be found at:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ci-lucas-trial-deliberations-20170728-story.html

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.