January 24
Today would have been Timmy Roberts 44th birthday. That's 27 years of life lost. May he rest in peace.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Contact Page in WebSite
The contact page in my website - http://www.mmstoddart.com/ has not been working for some time but has just now come to my attention. My apologies. Anyone wishing to send me a message please do so via this blog or my email margaret@nativefusion.com
Sorry for the trouble.
The contact page in my website - http://www.mmstoddart.com/ has not been working for some time but has just now come to my attention. My apologies. Anyone wishing to send me a message please do so via this blog or my email margaret@nativefusion.com
Sorry for the trouble.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Homicide?
How can a man be convicted of homicide when no homicide was proven?
The medical examiner failed to prove that a homicide occurred.
The medical examiner misunderstood wound ballistics. He wrote on the autopsy report that the manner of death was homicide without scientific evidence. The medical examiner misapplied a ballistics test and ruled on a manner of death in the absence of scientific fact and contrary to scientific knowledge… with disastrous results.
Does this matter today? Should we care? Is there any benefit to be gained from correcting that error now? How many lives would it affect? Is that even a gauge we should use when deciding if it is worth fixing?
We are not talking about expensive forensic testing. Just a common sense look at known facts of wound ballistics available to anyone who cares to do a little internet research and … SHAZAM!! there it is. Proof of error. Not just a small error. An error that cost a man his freedom for life. His family’s honor. The victim’s family’s peace of mind. And on and on and on.
Now what?
Should the forensic science community be concerned with upholding its integrity? Should the justice community be concerned with repairing the errors it committed while trusting the forensic community?
Should the people, when made aware of this error, expect it to be corrected?
How can a man be convicted of homicide when no homicide was proven?
The medical examiner failed to prove that a homicide occurred.
The medical examiner misunderstood wound ballistics. He wrote on the autopsy report that the manner of death was homicide without scientific evidence. The medical examiner misapplied a ballistics test and ruled on a manner of death in the absence of scientific fact and contrary to scientific knowledge… with disastrous results.
Does this matter today? Should we care? Is there any benefit to be gained from correcting that error now? How many lives would it affect? Is that even a gauge we should use when deciding if it is worth fixing?
We are not talking about expensive forensic testing. Just a common sense look at known facts of wound ballistics available to anyone who cares to do a little internet research and … SHAZAM!! there it is. Proof of error. Not just a small error. An error that cost a man his freedom for life. His family’s honor. The victim’s family’s peace of mind. And on and on and on.
Now what?
Should the forensic science community be concerned with upholding its integrity? Should the justice community be concerned with repairing the errors it committed while trusting the forensic community?
Should the people, when made aware of this error, expect it to be corrected?
Monday, September 15, 2008
Truth In Justice
The Forensic Examiner, The Journal of the American College of Forensic Examiners, has an interesting article in its current issue, Volume 17 Number 3 Fall 2008. (Available at Chapters stores in Canada.) Written by John Lechliter, editor in chief, the piece deals with the Truth in Justice organization and its web site, www.truthinjustice.org run by Sheila Berry and her husband Doug.
With over 1600 pages of material on cases of wrongful conviction the site is well worth visiting and according to The Forensic Examiner, it has drawn the attention of network producers looking for related news stories.
The Forensic Examiner, The Journal of the American College of Forensic Examiners, has an interesting article in its current issue, Volume 17 Number 3 Fall 2008. (Available at Chapters stores in Canada.) Written by John Lechliter, editor in chief, the piece deals with the Truth in Justice organization and its web site, www.truthinjustice.org run by Sheila Berry and her husband Doug.
With over 1600 pages of material on cases of wrongful conviction the site is well worth visiting and according to The Forensic Examiner, it has drawn the attention of network producers looking for related news stories.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
There are no facts, only interpretations. —Nietzsche
It's been a few weeks since I updated this blog. I have been considering the best means of continuing to discuss my book without causing distress to those I care about.
I love and respect Edith Roberts. She is an amazing person who suffered greatly over the death of her first husband and teenage son. The release of my book was expected to help her deal with it by telling her story.
As it turned out, I found many very serious problems with the investigation and trial that I could not ignore. They included legal consequences for other people affected by the case. I decided to include all of the social justice issues and not confine the book to the Roberts family experience.
The Roberts family in West Virginia and Virginia do not accept my interpretation of the evidence. Clearly only those who have lost a loved one to violence could understand the emotions it inflamed.
I delivered a message, an opinion, based on extensive study, backed by academic research. I never met Glenn (David) or Timmy so cannot say firsthand what choices they may have made in stressful situations. My analysis of the case was from that of a distant observer with only the documented evidence to study. Each reader will choose what to accept and what to reject.
I wish the message could have been more comforting or uplifting. I wish it could have matched the Roberts family expectations. I wrote what I found and what my mind told me was logical and probable.
I am deeply sorry for the family’s loss.
It's been a few weeks since I updated this blog. I have been considering the best means of continuing to discuss my book without causing distress to those I care about.
I love and respect Edith Roberts. She is an amazing person who suffered greatly over the death of her first husband and teenage son. The release of my book was expected to help her deal with it by telling her story.
As it turned out, I found many very serious problems with the investigation and trial that I could not ignore. They included legal consequences for other people affected by the case. I decided to include all of the social justice issues and not confine the book to the Roberts family experience.
The Roberts family in West Virginia and Virginia do not accept my interpretation of the evidence. Clearly only those who have lost a loved one to violence could understand the emotions it inflamed.
I delivered a message, an opinion, based on extensive study, backed by academic research. I never met Glenn (David) or Timmy so cannot say firsthand what choices they may have made in stressful situations. My analysis of the case was from that of a distant observer with only the documented evidence to study. Each reader will choose what to accept and what to reject.
I wish the message could have been more comforting or uplifting. I wish it could have matched the Roberts family expectations. I wrote what I found and what my mind told me was logical and probable.
I am deeply sorry for the family’s loss.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Arson, Death, and Deception
Who burned Glenn Roberts' Chaparral Restaurant in March 1982? Who shot and killed Roberts in August 1982 in his own home?
Was Roberts paranoid or on to something when he said that the sheriff wanted him gone? Who was behind the cocaine business in Tucker County in 1982?
An elementary review of the facts and the evidence could solve the cold case and provide answers for many whose lives have hung in limbo for 26 years.
Who burned Glenn Roberts' Chaparral Restaurant in March 1982? Who shot and killed Roberts in August 1982 in his own home?
Was Roberts paranoid or on to something when he said that the sheriff wanted him gone? Who was behind the cocaine business in Tucker County in 1982?
An elementary review of the facts and the evidence could solve the cold case and provide answers for many whose lives have hung in limbo for 26 years.
Monday, June 23, 2008
True Self-Government
A quote I came across today that I wanted to share:
"It is imperative to the evolution of man, the collective good, and the survival of humanity that the individual is protected from persecution and never oppressed by the collective. The radical, the challenger, the eccentric, the revolutionary, the exception, the outcast, the odd ball, the rule breakers and those that march to the beat of a different drummer are the triggers and impetus behind human evolution, growth and new discovery. This includes new thought and ideas that challenge the status quo thinking and those that are resistant to change.
Evolution is all about change, which results in adaptation and improvement, and those that resist change, cling to the old, or oppress the harbingers of change impede the evolution of mankind and our ability to adapt to changes beyond our control such as the climate and nature.
Therefore the survival and good of the collective is dependant on the freedom of the individual." http://oneclickrevolution.com/democracy_and_true_self_government.htm
From www.Infiniteplaythemovie.com
A quote I came across today that I wanted to share:
"It is imperative to the evolution of man, the collective good, and the survival of humanity that the individual is protected from persecution and never oppressed by the collective. The radical, the challenger, the eccentric, the revolutionary, the exception, the outcast, the odd ball, the rule breakers and those that march to the beat of a different drummer are the triggers and impetus behind human evolution, growth and new discovery. This includes new thought and ideas that challenge the status quo thinking and those that are resistant to change.
Evolution is all about change, which results in adaptation and improvement, and those that resist change, cling to the old, or oppress the harbingers of change impede the evolution of mankind and our ability to adapt to changes beyond our control such as the climate and nature.
Therefore the survival and good of the collective is dependant on the freedom of the individual." http://oneclickrevolution.com/democracy_and_true_self_government.htm
From www.Infiniteplaythemovie.com
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