A post with “Happy New Year” wishes to all my readers! We have an exciting year ahead of us. For the first time in history, the Zeigler case will be open to students from Penn State CSI. I look forward to hearing their discussions. This collaboration between Penn State CSI, Defrosting Cold Cases, and the Zeigler legal defense team is exclusive and unique.
The students in this program will get access to crime scene photographs, police reports, witness statements and more to apply everything they have learned in class in a real case. The students will be able to explore bloodstain patterns observed in the crime scene photographs to see whether they can apply their knowledge in estimating the position of the shooter(s). They will also be able to explore the existing DNA reports. From witness statements, they will be able to make time lines and even trace the route people claimed they took by checking old maps and Google maps. Mr. Zeigler wishes the students well and looks forward to hearing their opinions.
2011 will also be a year in which we can expect groundbreaking verdicts and decisions. Judge Nazarro will give us his decision in the habeas hearing of Richard Lapointe. Hopefully we will get more clarity in the cases of Cameron Todd Willingham and Hank Skinner. But most eagerly, I await the DNA hearing in the case of William Thomas Zeigler.
Right before Christmas, we finally got answers in the case of Mike Silcock. Pc Mike Silcock died when he was hit by a car in Heaton Mersey, Stockport, UK, while off duty on March 6, 2009. Stephen Benson pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.
CHaron QC has an excellent start of 2011. Not only has he been awarded a Clawbie, he has started his own “Blogging and drinking for Big Society” awards! I got one too. Charon’s blog is informative in a thought provoking way only Charon can do. His art and postcards are a must see and read.
In 2011, you will see more collaboration with Penn State CSI and Joe Giacalone. Joe‘s book “The Criminal Investigative Function: A Guide for New Investigators” is now available via Amazon.com. I will be posting my book review of Joe’s book later on this month. We will also be reviewing more cold cases together again. Check Joe’s website for updates and of course, back here at DCC to see on what case we are working.
On January 5th, I will resume the popular series “Vidocq presents…!” We start 2011 by interviewing a lady who is the CEO of the market leading supplier of software to in-house legal teams in UK local government, police and corporate entities. The series will be posted every two weeks and I have very interesting guests lined up! My other series “Sum it up!” will resume next week.
I hope that 2011 will be a fantastic year for all of us. Make it a memorable one!