PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This Blog is interested in false confessions because of the disturbing number of exonerations in the USA, Canada and multiple other jurisdictions throughout the world, where, in the absence of incriminating forensic evidence the conviction is based on self-incrimination – and because of the growing body of scientific research showing how vulnerable suspects are to widely used interrogation methods such as the notorious ‘Reid Technique.’ As all too many of this Blog's post have shown, I also recognize that pressure for false confessions can take many forms, up to and including physical violence, even physical and mental torture.
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog:
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BRIEF: The Livingston Herald: December 31, 2019; Kowalski to get new murder trial.
GIST: "A
man convicted of a 2008 double homicide will get a new trial in the
aftermath of former Livingston County judge Theresa Brennan's ouster. Jerome
Kowalski was convicted of the murders of his brother and sister-in-law
Richard and Brenda Kowalski in 2013 and sentenced to life in prison by
Brennan. Kowalski's conviction was vacated in
January after the Michigan Supreme Court found Brennan failed to
disclose her relationship with the lead investigator in the double
homicide case, state police Sgt. Sean Furlong. Kowalski's attorneys want a false confession expert,
Richard Ofshe, to be allowed in the new trail. Shiawassee County
Circuit Court Judge Matthew Stewart ordered a hearing before making a
decision about Ofshe. Kowalski confessed after he was charged and then
recanted, denying he had committed the crime. The hearing is scheduled for Jan. 21. The trial will take place after that hearing."
https://www.livingstondaily.com/story/news/local/community/livingston-county/2020/01/01/what-look-forward-livingston-county-2020/2756854001/
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;
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FINAL WORD: (Applicable to all of our wrongful conviction cases): "Whenever there is a wrongful conviction, it exposes errors in our criminal legal system, and we hope that this case — and lessons from it — can prevent future injustices.""
Lawyer Radha Natarajan:
20191230-gqdpvy3q4zgatdf6yvjrel6luy-story.html
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