Take Action: Julie Amero Porn Case

Last week you heard from a juror and Detective Mark Lounsbury, the crime prevention officer with the Norwich Police Department.

I have more for you on the Amero case.

I've been privy to private conversations with a dozen security experts (you'd immediately recognize many names), forensic examiners, and an attorney (one that I'd choose for my defense if ever I needed one).

Unfortunately, there's lots I can't repeat. However, what I can say is the consensus is that Amero is getting a bad rap for a lot of reasons. High on the list was a poor defense, a not-very-PC-savvy judge, and a school district that won't take responsibility of having no current protection on the computer in the classroom. For instance, one forensic investigator examined an image of the PCs hard drive said the anti-virus program was ancient and the last time it was updated was in "August 2004," and, he said, "hopelessly out of date."

Right after my newsletter was posted, many of you asked what you could do. You can check the Julie Amero blog and consider helping by way of the Julie Amero Defense Fund.

If you're interested in details, there are two excellent articles that go into technical high-gear. The first is Randy Abrams's "Can a Legal System Unversed in Technology Result in a Fair Trial?" Next is Mark Rasch's 7-part Mouse-Trapped.

Your Cards and Letters
You can also use the power of e-mail. The State's Attorney responsible for supervision of David Smith, the prosecutor in the Amero case, is Michael L. Regan. You might want to write him and strongly urge he help Smith file a motion to vacate the conviction. An e-mail to the Chief State's Attorneys of Connecticut Kevin T. Kane and Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell can't hurt, either. (There are more e-mail links on the Julie Amero site.)

If you write, however tempting, try not to go on a rant. Use your computing expertise -- and a civil argument -- and you'll likely get better results.

The case has the public's attention and it's taken on an energy that won't be stopped. Stay tuned.

Comments

Let's see now...

If these people are really that ignorant about the Internet, what's the chance that they'll actually read these emails?

Seth

February 20, 2007

8:46 AM PT