Thursday, October 3, 2013

Cameron Todd Willingham: Commentary; Bob Ray Sanders calls for further investigation to "find the whole truth" - then "do the right thing". Star-Telegram;


COMMENTARY: "Further investigation needed in case of executed man,"  by Bob Ray Sanders, published by the Star-Telegram on October 1, 2013.

GIST: "Prosecutors in the case relied on testimony from a jailhouse informant to connect Willingham to the fire. Johnny Webb, in jail on charges of aggravated robbery, testified that Willingham confessed to him that he had committed the crime. In 2000, four years before Willingham’s execution, Webb recanted that statement in a motion to a judge, the same person who had been the lead prosecutor in the case. He said he “was forced to testify against Willingham by the D.A.s [sic] office and other officials. I was made to lie,” according to a news release from the Innocence Project. Although the district attorney’s office knew of the recantation, no one representing Willingham was made aware of it. The Innocence Project said it also has evidence that the prosecutor and other Navarro County authorities tried to help Webb get a reduced sentence in exchange for his testimony. The former prosecutor denies any misconduct in the case, according to the Texas Tribune. The new allegations must be investigated. “There are only two mistakes one can make on the road to truth: not going all the way and not starting,” said Barry Scheck, co-director of the Innocence Project. “The reason an investigation is so critical in this case isn’t to affix blame on Gov. Perry or any one individual. Everyone has responsibility if not for making error then for failing to detect them.” He’s right. So, let’s find the whole truth then do the right thing.""

The entire story can be found at:

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/10/01/5212337/further-investigation-needed-in.html?rh=1

 PUBLISHER'S NOTE:

Dear Reader. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog. We are following this case.

I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located  near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site.

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