Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Frits Van Beelen; South Australia; Bulletin; On-going appeal: 9 News: 22 June; 2017..."Defence counsel Kevin Borick QC told the court that evidence on the time of death from pathologist Colin Manock's was so wrong it should never have been presented to the jury as a key factor in the case. "It had no basis at all in science," Mr Borick said. "It had no scientific validity. Dr Manock was completely wrong." As a result, Mr Borick said there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice."


"A High Court hearing is set to continue as an Adelaide man, found guilty of murdering a teenage girl 45 years ago, makes his last bid to overturn his conviction. Frits Van Beelen was originally sentenced to death but served 17 years' jail for murdering 15-year-old Deborah Leach, who was found buried in seaweed at Taperoo Beach in July 1971. The Full Bench of the South Australian Supreme Court rejected his latest appeal in July last year, ruling against his contention that new and compelling evidence had emerged. But the High Court is considering an appeal against that ruling and was told on Wednesday that later science had seriously discredited forensic evidence at Van Beelen's trial. Defence counsel Kevin Borick QC told the court that evidence on the time of death from pathologist Colin Manock's was so wrong it should never have been presented to the jury as a key factor in the case. "It had no basis at all in science," Mr Borick said. "It had no scientific validity. Dr Manock was completely wrong." As a result, Mr Borick said there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice.
Van Beelen has always maintained his innocence........The High Court hearing continues on Thursday with more evidence from Director of Public Prosecutions Adam Kimber.On Wednesday, he said while Dr Manock had been wrong to limit the time of death to a period of one hour, that did not eliminate Van Beelen as the possible killer."
http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/06/22/03/34/van-beelen-high-court-appeal-to-continue

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;