Monitor this situation.
Unsubscribe anytime.
[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [CRIME]
2 clusters · 4 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated
Jennifer Gaskin manslaughter conviction appeal
Overview
Jennifer Gaskin, convicted in 2002 of manslaughter following the death of her infant son, sought to appeal her verdict based on new medical evidence. While the original conviction was based on expert testimony attributing the death to ‘shaken baby syndrome’, recent reviews by three experts suggested the death could have been caused by sudden infant death syndrome, particularly given the child’s premature birth. The Crown noted that the original evidence had been ‘wholly undermined and placed in grave doubt’ and suggested an acquittal.
An Ontario Appeal Court subsequently overturned the conviction. The court ruled that the original verdict relied on discredited medical evidence. Legal experts argued the cause of death should have been classified as ‘undetermined’. The ruling reflects an evolution in medical understanding, as organizations like the Public Health Agency of Canada have transitioned from using the term ‘shaken baby syndrome’ to ‘traumatic head injury due to child maltreatment’ to better reflect current professional standards.
Entities
Jennifer Gaskin · Canadian Paediatric Society · Hospital for Sick Children · Health Canada · Nova Scotia
Timeline
-
[HEALTH] 2 sourcesOntario court overturns conviction over discredited medical evidence
An Ontario court overturned Jennifer Gaskin’s manslaughter conviction, citing discredited medical evidence regarding ‘shaken baby syndrome’ and the need for updated forensic terminology.
-
[CRIME] 2 sourcesOntario woman appeals manslaughter conviction over infant death
An Ontario woman is appealing her 2002 manslaughter conviction for the death of her infant son, citing new medical evidence that suggests sudden infant death syndrome as a possible cause.
Sources
channel12.ca · cheknews.ca · narcity.com · winnipegfreepress.com