Canadian doctor apologizes for errors that led to convictions

TORONTO — A doctor whose expert testimony led to at least seven wrongful convictions gave a tearful apology Thursday to one of his victims, who spent more than a decade in prison for the death of his niece.

Twenty cases are being investigated after experts questioned Dr. Charles Smith’s work. Twelve cases led to convictions, and at least seven have been thrown out.

Smith said Monday that he taught himself pediatric forensics and was ignorant of the criminal justice system.

“Sir, I don’t expect that you would forgive me,” he told a man who spent 12 years in prison.