PUBLISHER'S NOTE: In her current post, Sue Luttner includes several illuminating appreciations - all of which are worth reading. One that stands out to me relates to Dr. Jan Leetsma: "Dr. Jan Leestma, author of the classic text Forensic Neuropathology, recalled that meeting John Plunkett in the 1980s—from opposite sides of the courtroom—helped convince him to look more closely at shaking theory. Leestma reviewed “virtually all the literature at the time,” he said, and changed his position. He then became an early and influential voice calling for more scientific rigor in both the research and the testimony regarding shaken baby syndrome. Dr. Leestma’s testimony on behalf of British au pair Louise Woodward in 1997 helped expose the nation to the emerging debate." Also standing out to me is Ms. Luttner's 'personal note' on this champion of justice," under 'Gist' below;
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;
-----------------------------------------------------------
POST: "Dr. John Plunkett, Champion of Justice," by Sue Luttner, published on her Blog ON SBS.
GIST: "A Personal Note: I had my first phone call with Dr. Plunkett in 2000, when he was
about to publish his short fall paper. I had been researching shaken
baby for two years at that point, after the niece of a friend was
convicted of shaking a baby in her care. I’d been comparing the medical
testimony in the trial transcripts with the scientific facts available
in the medical journals, and puzzling over the gap. Could I, not a
medical professional, but a technical writer and careful reader,
possibly have identified fundamental problems with the evidence base for
a well-accepted but unproven theory that was almost unbeatable in
court? Dr. Plunkett assured me that I had done just that. “You start to look
at this with even the rudimentary elements of scientific thinking,” he
confirmed, “And you say, ‘What is going on here?'” He then gave me my first lesson in the physics of short falls, and I was hooked. He became the medical advisor to my book, and for 15 years, my book
proposal has promised he would write the introduction, an introduction
neither one of us ever crafted. I guess I will be dedicating the book to
him instead.""
The entire post can be found at:
https://onsbs.com/2018/04/15/dr-john-plunkett-champion-of-justice-1947-2018/
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
The entire post can be found at:
https://onsbs.com/2018/04/15/dr-john-plunkett-champion-of-justice-1947-2018/
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
