Trucott decision good but full justice still waits

People in Huron County and beyond will go to their graves believing Steven Truscott to be either guilty of raping and murdering an 11-year-old girl – or innocent. Not much, it seems, in the way of evidence or lack of evidence or court reviews and decisions will change that perverse part of our nature which sometimes leads us to prefer to believe the worst of a person, rather than the best. So, whether Truscott receives $6.5 million or $65 million won’t change some people’s minds, although because of the polical incorrectness of it all, it is getting harder to find people willing to say out loud that they really believe – that Truscott is guilty of murdering Lynne Harper.

What can be said about what Truscott has gone through over 50 years? Who could begrudge him compensation? For one, the Harper family who still believe he is guilty. And others who believe that justice in this case has only been half served. The justice system in the 1950s let down not only Steven Truscott but Lynne Harper and her family. While jurists were busy convicting a 14-year-old boy of the brutal crime, five other very good suspects in the case, some with history of child molesting, were virtually ignored. Should there be some sort of compensation for the Harpers as well?

Most troubling of all is the fact that there appears to be no accountability in situations of wrongful convictions. Money might soothe the victims but it doesn’t fix the system. Until those at the highest levels of our justice system begin to pay for their mistakes, will we see more care taken to ensure better judgments. And yes, it is a good thing Canada does not have the death penalty.
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The safety of all-terrain vehicles has been front an centre with the news that a 13-year-old Perth County boy has died following an ATV accident last week. This death follows two other fatal collisions in the OPP’s western region last week.

Police say speed and inexperience are major factors in these collisions and may we add that an absence of protective gear such as helmets only makes the injuries from accidents more severe.

Police are reminding parents that this type of machinery should not be left in the hands of young people as the results could prove to be life threatening. Rightly said. Though we want our children to have fun, they look to us to protect them and we need to provide the best safeguards we can.