PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Charles Smith Blog is interested in false confessions because of the disturbing number of exonerations in the USA, Canada and multiple other jurisdictions throughout the world, where, in the absence of incriminating forensic evidence the conviction is based on self-incrimination – and because of the growing body of scientific research showing how vulnerable suspects (especially juveniles) are to widely used interrogation methods such as the notorious ‘Reid Technique.’
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;
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STORY: "‘Just Mad’ He Confessed to Karina Vetrano’s Murder. But Did He Do It?, by reporter Maz Rivlin-Nadler published by The Daily Beast on November 29, 2017.
SUB-HEADING: "Chanel Lewis’ DNA matched what was found at the scene of the crime. He told detectives he did it. So why is he pleading not guilty?"
GIST: “Having DNA and a confession is pretty much the end of a case,” said Ron Kuby, a prominent defense attorney who has represented dozens of clients charged with murder in New York. “It becomes hard for even the most creative lawyer to construct a defense consistent with innocence.” But Lewis—who lives in East New York with his mother and graduated from a private school dedicated to “children experiencing emotional and behavioral problems”—has pleaded not guilty. His taped confession to detectives doesn’t make much sense, and the DNA match is less conclusive than law enforcement sources have suggested while discussing the case with the media. Steven A. Drizin, a former legal director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University and one of the lawyers representing Making a Murderer’s Brandon Dassey, examined the text of Lewis’ confession for The Daily Beast. “The description of the crime seems like a narrative that may have been fed to him,” Drizin said. “That he just snapped. That he just lost it. People generally just don’t lose it, beat women to death, strangle them, and pull their clothes down for no reason. Because he’s angry that his neighbors played music too loud? That raises concerns for me.” He added: “There’s nothing in his confession that suggests there was a sexual component to this, and that’s concerning.” According to documents prepared by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and turned over to Lewis’ defense team by the Queens district attorney, another set of DNA was found on an Arizona fruit punch bottle at the crime scene that matched a separate individual. While the medical examiner declared that Lewis’ DNA matched what was found on Vetrano’s cellphone and on her back, they do not state they found a match under Vetrano’s fingernails, contrary to statements made by the NYPD. Instead, the medical examiner suggests that Lewis’ DNA may be present under Vetrano’s fingernails based on the Forensic Statistical Tool analysis, a controversial testing method used when a mixture of DNA samples are present. Forensic experts have criticized the method, and it was discontinued by the medical examiner’s office this year."
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/c
