Joan Mellen Speech at AARC Conference

[Peter Lemkin]

To me, the stranger [est?] element is W. Brown saying something along the lines of 'always knowing' [that Darby's certification had lapsed]. Apparently, J did not know this or believe this; and why hold a big public roll out of the information and the name if one 'always knew' there was something about one's expert that could cause some embarrassment. Why would Darby, knowing he had a high-profile match to do [or had just done] not re-certify, if his certification had lapsed? Its all a bit odd and I can offer no new or more information. The proof or the pudding will be in JM's new book - title unknown; exact focus unknown. I believe the only other thing I remember from old emails is that someone had a computer match done and it failed to match.....who did it, when, and what prints were presented, I do not know. Again, rather than just a disagreement between persons involved in the JFK Assassination, there seems to be some 'op' hidden in here somewhere - where is not clear, at this point. The 'no show' of a major person at the 'roll out' is also very strange....as are a few substantial additional details I've been asked to keep confidential. I think there is one last tidbit I can put out here and then will remain silent mostly until her book comes out or new information surfaces in my email box. This from JM some months back..."Darby wrote in his affidavit that he was certified by the INTERNATIONAL certifying organization (false), but what you wrote is the name of a TEXAS organization. So perhaps not being re-certified by the International one, he signed up with a Texas one. What difference does it really make, since the prints did not match."......[size=12][/SIZE]Darby "was grandfathered into the certification program in 1978, meaning that he was a awarded a certification based on his training and experience but did not have to pass a test. This practice is no longer allowed. [size=12][/SIZE]DARBY'S CERTIFICATION EXPIRED IN 1984. The letter in his file is one that he, Darby, wrote [size=12][/SIZE]to the certification board stating that he was not going to recertify. He was not a certified [size=12][/SIZE]examiner in 1998 and had not been one for 14 years. Certifications are only good for 5 years.You must have [size=12][/SIZE]continued work experience and education credits to continue to recertify after that and take and [size=12][/SIZE]pass a recertification exam. [size=12][/SIZE]Hoffmeister was also grandfathered into the certification program in 1978. He let his certification lapse on 10/30/1996 and did not recertify."...

I hope the full [or a fuller] story about this will be possible to piece together after JM's book comes out. She is keeping her information fairly close at this point - I don't know why, as she hints that this is not the focus of the book, nor highly significant in the greater picture the book's information paints. To all involved....peace!