BACKGROUND: (KCUR report): "The Jackson County Prosecutor's office charged Strickland with capital murder for his alleged involvement in the killing of Sherrie Black, John Walker and Larry Ingram at 6934 S. Benton Ave., in Kansas City. The only eyewitness, Cynthia Douglas, was wounded during the attack, but, as early as 1979, "realized she was mistaken in her identification of Strickland," the motion argues. Then, "after years of torment and consternation over what to do about the mistake," Douglas asked for help from the Midwest Innocence Project in 2009. Baker also said in her motion that expected testimony in the hearing "will further corroborate Douglas's realization that she was mistaken in her identification of Strickland." The motion gave no detail about who might testify. The motion also suggests the 1979 case was weak. "Armed with only tainted identification and weak physical evidence, it took two trials for the State to convict Strickland." The first ended in a mistrial, which prosecutors blamed on the inclusion of a Black juror. The prosecutor at the time said the seating of that juror was "careless" and a "mistake that would not be repeated," the motion said. At the second trial, Strickland was convicted by an all-white jury. Baker added that as late as 2020, a fingerprint analysis showed prints taken from the shotgun used in the killings do not belong to Strickland"
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MARSHAL PROJECT: "A prosecutor tries, again, to free an innocent man in Missouri. Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker filed an extraordinary motion over the weekend declaring Kevin Strickland “actually innocent” of the triple-murder he was convicted of in 1979. There is “clear and convincing” evidence that Strickland did not commit the crime, prosecutors say, relying on a new law that allows them to redress dubious old convictions. Strickland has maintained his innocence for four decades. Federal prosecutors also say that Strickland was wrongfully convicted. KCUR:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGkbDbRxKRxKjvzpqHLXCrdPfTl
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;
