WORDS TO HEED: FROM OUR POST ON KEVIN COOPER'S APPLICATION FOR POST-CONVICTION DNA TESTING; CALIFORNIA: (Applicable wherever a state resists DNA testing): "Blogger/extraordinaire Jeff Gamso's blunt, unequivocal, unforgettable message to the powers that be in California: "JUST TEST THE FUCKING DNA." (Oh yes, Gamso raises, as he does in many of his posts, an important philosophical question: This post is headed: "What is truth, said jesting Pilate."...Says Gamso: "So what's the harm? What, exactly, are they scared of? Don't we want the truth?"
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STORY: 'See what actually happened," group says in urging for DNA testing in Pervis Payne case," by reporter Kathleen Burgess, published by the Memphis Commercial Appeal, on September 10, 2020.
GIST: "A group of about 15 gathered at the corner of Union and McLean avenues Wednesday afternoon, holding signs that read "Test the DNA" and "Justice for Pervis Payne."
If necessary, they may keep coming back to rally on the corner every Wednesday until Payne's Dec. 3 execution date, said the Rev. Andre Johnson.
“We wanted to bear witness to what we believed was an unjust verdict. We don’t believe Pervis should be on death row and he should not even be in jail. That’s first," Johnson said. “We’re letting people know we see what you’re doing, we understand what you’re doing. We don’t think it’s right. We don’t think it’s fair. When the history books go back and ask whether anybody stood up to this, somebody can say yes.”
Payne is currently on Death Row after his conviction for the 1987 stabbing deaths of Millington woman Charisse Christopher, 28, and her 2-year-old daughter, Lacie. Christopher's 3-year-old son, Nicholas, survived multiple stab wounds.
His attorneys, including representatives from national legal group The Innocence Project, have requested that evidence from the crime scene be tested for DNA. The Innocence Project has also offered to pay for the DNA testing. The Shelby County District Attorney's Office has opposed the petition for DNA testing.
Judge Paula Skahan heard arguments regarding the request for testing last week in Shelby County Criminal Court. She will rule on the petition Sept. 16.
The entire story can be read at:
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2020/09/09/test-dna-group-pushes-dna-testing-pervis-payne-case/5745709002/
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; -----------------------------------------------------------------
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:
Executive Director: New England Innocence Project;
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