Offensive Tactics

By: Charlotte Williams

This writer had already anticipated the government’s reaction to Richman (a ghost from the past) wanting to testify in Reid’s defense before Assistant Prosecutor D’Aguanno motioned that he be summarily dismissed back on June 29, 2006, without ever having met him, questioned him or put him on the stand.

Because Richman’s would-be testimony was deemed questionable and resulted in a flailing-of-the-hand-like dismissal that was set in ink on that June day, hence this writer felt that it was time to bring in an expert in the field of forensic psychiatry and asked Williams (my daughter) to seek the person out.

Although The Giovanni Reid Support Team believes in Richman’s truthfulness, we still feel it necessary to have him professionally cleared as a believable witness.

This writer also felt that it was time to find an expert in the field of forensic crime-scene investigation and asked Williams to scout around and see who she could find. The Giovanni Reid Support Team feels that there might be other exculpatory evidence still somewhere out there.

First, Williams identified a criminalist from a lead provided by Reid. She interviewed the expert, who teaches forensic science at a university located outside of Philadelphia. In addition to his professorship, he also heads up a forensic lab outside of Philadelphia and holds other professional positions related to his field. The crackerjack agreed to work pro bono. The Giovanni Reid Support Team agreed that his experience in testifying as an expert witness in other court cases made him an asset to the Reid case.

To get him started, Reid Advocate Williams sent the expert, who is also a former supervisory special agent and forensic science instructor in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) the following: (1) a copy of Richman’s taped deposition dated 3-13-06, (2) a copy of Reid’s police report dated 8/19/91, (3) a copy of Lorraine Hill’s police report dated 8/12/91, (4) copies of crime-scene photographs labeled “Close view of spent projectile…,” “Close view of red stain found on sidewalk…,” and “Overall view…;” ( 5) a copy of the medical examiner’s report dated 8/13/91 and, (6) a copy of Police Officer Anthony Buchanico’s transcripts.

Next, Williams found and interviewed a forensic psychiatrist, who also agreed to work pro bono on the Reid case. The Giovanni Reid Support Team felt that the doctor, who has a private practice, was a shoe-in because in addition to his specialty in post-traumatic stress disorder, he also had volunteer experience with Centurion Ministries - an organization that helps inmates who claim wrongful conviction.

After the Philadelphia advocate made Richman an appointment for March 9, 2007, the doctor stood at the ready to conduct a mental evaluation of him. Unfortunately, an adverse turn of events would keep Richman away.