Sunday, April 5, 2015

Ted Bradford: Oregon considers a law to expand availability of DNA testing - if connected with any relevant crime (not just murder or sex crimes) - and require judges to state their reason for denials. Bradford, an innocent man who spent years seeking testing, makes the case for expanded testing before a legislative committee;



STORY: "Former inmate makes case for expanded DNA testing in Oregon," by reporter Peter Wong, published by the Portland Tribune on March 25, 2015.

SUB-HEADING:  "Ted Bradford was acquitted in Washington state after test — after serving 10 years for rape."

GIST: "Ted Bradford says he would rather avoid the limelight after a successful but years-long effort to exonerate himself of rape, for which he served 10 years in prison in Washington state. But Bradford came to Salem on Wednesday to testify in favor of changes in Oregon law to expand the availability of DNA testing and require judges to state their reasons for denials. “If my story could help just one person out there who is wrongly convicted and sitting in prison right now with no hope — if I can reach that person in any way — it just makes it worth it,” he told reporters before a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee. “I support this bill because it helps right wrongs in our justice system. Lawmakers on the panel are considering House Bill 3206, sponsored jointly by Democratic Reps. Jennifer Williamson of Portland and Ann Lininger of Lake Oswego. The bill would allow a defendant to seek DNA testing if connected with any relevant crime — not just murder or sex crimes — and require judges to put on the record their reasons for denial. “For the overwhelming majority of crimes, DNA just isn’t an issue,” says Steven Wax, legal director of the Oregon Innocence Project, and for 27 years, the federal public defender for Oregon. “We are suggesting that if there is any crime in which DNA evidence is relevant, testing should be available. Innocence is innocence, guilt is guilt, and let’s not make a false distinction.” But the Oregon District Attorneys Association opposes the bill. It says the bill would allow a broad range of cases to be reopened and would add to costs......... Although Innocence Project Northwest, based in Seattle, accepted his case in 2002, Bradford managed to get his original conviction overturned only in 2007. He credits more sophisticated DNA testing. “What they could not find at my first trial in 1996, they were able to uncover years later — unfortunately, after I had done all my time,” he says. Yakima County prosecutors chose to try him again on charges of first-degree rape and burglary, but he was acquitted in 2010. “It has meant the world,” Bradford says. “My world was turned upside down.” He had been married with two children, and was employed two decades ago. He says employment has been difficult to find, and he is still reforging relationships with family and friends."

The entire story can be found at:

 http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/254980-125194-former-inmate-makes-case-for-expanded-dna-testing-in-oregon

 PS: For latest coverage of the Mark Lundy retrial  go to: 
 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/mark-lundy-murder-retrial 


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.ca/2013/12/the-charles-smith-award-presented-to_28.html
 
I look forward to hearing from readers at:

hlevy15@gmail.com.
 
Harold Levy; Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;