Death Penalty Articles: Re: Reply to Sam Bassett - Cameron Todd Willingham

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Death Penalty Articles: Re: Reply to Sam Bassett - Cameron Todd Willingham - MSNBC's HARDBALL

Re: Reply to Sam Bassett - Cameron Todd Willingham - MSNBC's HARDBALL

Dear Mr. Bassett:

Thank you for your reply.

It would have been simple and important for you to say that there is already a contradictory report to Beyler, from the Corsicana FD.

It would have been simple and important for you to say that Beyler never said the Willingham fire wasn't arson and never said it was accidental

Based upon worldwide media reports, that would have cleared up much confusion.

Many, like you, are sick of the vitriol over the guilt and innocence arguments. It would have been the ideal time for you to correct Barry Scheck, publicly, for his blatantly unsupported claim that ‘There can no longer be any doubt that an innocent person (Willingham) has been executed." Innocence Project Co-Director Barry Scheck says. (1)

In the spirit of clarity, will you, now, issue a statement covering those three issues? You are, now, in a unique position to bring more reason to this discussion. I hope you choose to do so.

Sincerely, Dudley Sharp

(1) The Innocence Project,

http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/2149.php

Also see: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barry-scheck/innocent-but-executed_b_272327.html

In a message dated 10/15/2009 10:00:05 P.M. Central Daylight Time, SBassett@mbfc.com writes:

Dear Mr. Sharp:

Thank you for your comments. Unlike you, I am a novice to these shows and must say that I’m not used to the back and forth format of having to try to deal with a complex topic in a 3-6 minute window. Most of my trial work involves several hours and/or days of testimony, cross examination, arguments and the like so I hope you’ll give me some latitude in this new arena.

Having said that, I appreciate your comments and you should know that I am not an opponent of the death penalty and I represent criminal defendants in my criminal law practice and often represent victims of crime in my family law practice.

One of my great disappointments about recent developments in the Forensic Science Commission is the vitriolic arguments in the case about guilt or innocence as well as the death penalty. The Commission was committed to findings relating only to the forensic science in the case. Unfortunately, that good work has been interrupted and/or stopped by recent actions taken by the Governor.

We had only begun our work and had solicited input from the State Fire Marshall’s Office as well as other law enforcement entities who certainly would have held different perspectives than Dr. Beyler. It was only after a full consideration of same that we were going to render our final report, if I had been permitted to continue.

I was fully aware that the criminal case involved evidence having nothing to do with forensic science and that was one of many reasons I stood for the proposition that the commission would not comment on guilt/innocence issues.