Sunday, August 26, 2012

Kristine Bunch: New science shows she could not have committed arson crime. So her lawyer asks why state wants a new trial. (Good question! HL);

STORY: "Mother convicted of killing her son, three, walks free after spending 16 years in jail for a crime she says she did not commit," published in the Daily Mail on August 23, 2012.

SUB-HEADINGS: "Kristine Bunch was sentenced to 60 years in prison in 1996 after a jury convicted her of killing three-year-old Tony in arson attack; Bunch accused of pouring Kerosene in the bedroom of her son and the living room of her mobile home before setting it ablaze; But the Court of Appeal orders retrial after new evidence casts doubt on conviction; Tony died of carbon monoxide poisoning which would not be possible had fire started in his bedroom.

GIST: "A mother jailed for murdering her young son in an arson attack has been released from prison after spending 16 years behind bars for a crime she insists she did not commit. Kristine Bunch, 38, was sentenced to 60 years in prison in 1996 after a jury convicted her of pouring kerosene in the bedroom of three-year-old Tony and setting it on fire. But scientific breakthroughs and new evidence has cast doubt on the original conviction..........Bunch's attorney, Ron Safer, said prosecutors ‘did exactly the right thing’ by asking for a low bond, but he was disappointed they still planned another trial in light of scientific advances that he said suggest there was no real evidence of arson. Prosecutors have had little to say except that they are seeking a gag order to restrict attorneys' public comments on the case. A hearing on their request is scheduled for August 30, and Bunch was ordered to attend."

The entire story can be found at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2192379/Mother-convicted-killing-son-walks-free-spending-16-years-jail-crime-says-didnt-commit.html

PUBLISHER'S NOTE:

I am monitoring this case. 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.