HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2000-04-05, Page 5Many remember Truscott saga
as marking an era, says local man
Fifth Estate still seeking local information
about night of June 9, 19.59 as saga continues
From Rog* 1
that Truscott was the perpetrator.
1 thought that -they had the wrong
person;" he said when news arrived that
Trusyt't had been attested.
The Tuckersmith fownship farmer
became acquainted with the. -young
' Truscott as he had voluntarily assisted
with faun chores on occasion. He said .
that Truscott was a reliable boy. more so
' than others Lawson knew on the Kase.
As for Kalichuk. Lawson said he had
never heard of the man but found the
information presented by the Fifth
.Estate "very interesting".
. Clinton resident Angela Murray also
believed Truscott to be innocent prior to
the airing ol'the documentary. -
"I1 was a hurried conviction to lock up
, the killer.." she stated. adding that
dix:umentary proved that fact.
Butlit was not necessarily any of the
new evidence that clinched Murray •s
twit guilty verdict. Simply stated: the
• fact that after all these years. Truscott is
• still seeking only one thing .is proof
enough for Murray.
"He's just looking to have his name
cleared." she stated. "He's not asking
for restitution." . •
Fortner CFR Clinton resident and
curator of the Radome Museum Phil
Malcolm Was -impressed with the;
production. stating that it was the finest
documentary he has seen in a long time.
"It laid (the case) out in a way that,
people can understand." said Malcolm,
who hopes the wave of public outcry
generated by the documentary will he
enough to pressure the government into
launching an inquiry into the case.
"it is only through public pressure that
the government will get to the bottom of
it," he added. -
'. Skepticism of Truscott's guilt_ has
swirled for decades. in the .minds of
Canadians. He has long maintained his
innocence and this latest quest to clear.
• his name stuck a chord with thc people
across the country. Fifth Estate producer
, Julian Sher. stated that 1.4 million
viewers -tuned in to hear Truscott's side
of the story. making it thc most watched
installment of the program all season.
. "The reaction was overwhelming,"
said Sher in an interview on Monday.
. "We received over 300 -e-mails and
dozens of phone calls."
"Of the e-mails and calls.received.
only two were hostile • towards
Truscott." Maclntyrc said in an
interview from his
Toronto office. "The rest
were , universally
supportive. from people
who always felt. that he
had been railroaded and
were glad. tb see (their
beliefs) confirmed."
In his -research.
Maclntyrc found thc
number of Canadians
who have followed the
Truscott case in detail for
decades ' "quite
)astonishing". Whcn
And still, decade later. Canadians
• feel that something is not right with the
Truscott case. Maclntyrc commented. A
few years -previous lo the Truscott's
conviction. a Quebec map named
Wilbert Coffin was c\ecuted for what
some later believed was a crime that he
may nut have committed:.
"(The Coffin and•Truscott cases) left a
sour taste in the mouths of the public."
he explained. noting that it was then that
Canadians hccatnc aware of the
possibility of 'wrongful conviction'.
The Fifth Estate is continuing the
investigation, and ..is
hoping to receive more
clues and tips regarding
the events surrounding
the murder. Maclntyrc
alluded to a tip that was
received by the Fifth
Estate from
acquaintances of Harper.
that'. may. he of
significance, that could
lead "closer" to the truth.
• Ajjbough. the ripple
effect . the program
'caused made it alt the
way 10 the House of
Commons, Maclntyrc stated that
Truscott is quite limited in the options
available to hien at this lxrint.
"He docs not have much maneuvering.
room. Section 690 of -the -Criminal Code
-allows for a legislative ,review of the
case." stated Maclntyrc. but he docs not
expect that Truscott will have an easy
time getting that underway.-
• "He will probably try that." Maclntyrc
concluded.
Quoted
'We re
over
mail
doze
phone
says Flft
prod
ceived
300 e-
s and
ns of
calls,' --
h Estate
uc.r
asked why the case is
still in the minds of Canadians,
Maclntyrc stated that. other than thc
wars. Canadians had never experienced
and responded to an event of national.
significance collectively.,
"This was the first time that people
were hit in the same place. in the same
way." he responded. "(The crime)
contested the innocence of children."
and that "a 14 -year-old child could have
done it was appalling."
Speiaking as a member of Truscott's
generation. Maclntyrc likened the
Truscott saga to that of thc John F.
Kennedy assassination for Americans in
its .moulding of the collective
consciousncss,of the nation.
."In some -small way, it is equivalent."
he aid. "People often ask 'what 'were
- you doing when the Truscott-Harper
case' occurred. "the summer of '59.• '
"Many see it as (marking) the end of
an era ... one,of those defining historical.
moments." Maclntyrc said. "It was: a
waking up in many ways."
The Fifth Estate is -still encouraging
anyone with -any -information about the
Truscott-Harper case to contact them.
"We are .still eager to hear .from
anyone. especially in the; Clinton area:
who has any information onwhat
happened the night- of June 9. 195e)...
said. Sher.; '
Anyone wishing to contact. the Fifth
-Estate can either call Theresa Burke
collect at 416-205-6696 or e-mail
burket@atoronto.chc.ca.
TheTruscott case evidence is online
at www.chc.Cahifih.
Alarm scares away burglars at Sony's
An alarm was
activated'at Suny-s
—Gas Bar on Goderich
Street in Seaforth
when a person attempted to
crawl through a window on
March 29 at 4:45 a.m.
The window of the garage
front door was smashed and
entered by a person/ who
fled when the alarm `went
off.
, The 'building was
searched and nothing was
found -Missing. •
Damage to new washer
Extensive damages. were
caused to a new washer and
dryer in the laundry room
facility inside, the' Maples
Apartment complex in
Hensall.
• Police were ' notified
shortly after 6 p.m. on
March 28 that a parson
entered the facility and used•
a blunt object to repeatedly
strike the units
Anyone with Iniormauun
is asked to call the Huron
'OPP or Crimestoppers.
Scale stolen
At 5:15 am on March 28,
the intrusion alarm sounded
at Hensall Co-op on Hensall
Road in McKillop.Twp.
A company official found
that a window had been
forced mien .and a small
portable electronic scale
• was stolen.
The scale has metric
conversions, has a brown
base with -a round stainless
steel platform and is 8" x
10" i•'.
Egniondvill man charged
with assault
A domestic situation at a
residence on Third Street in
Egmondville concluded
with a 42 -year-old
•Egmondville man being
charged with assault.
A 'victim with noted
physical evidence of abuse
advised police that . an
argument had started with a
man losing his temper and
assaulting her. ,
The man was found
sitting outside her residence
inside a vehicle when police
arrived at the scene.
-He was taken to the
Seaforth office where he
was later released by a
OPP report
Justice of the Peace for
'court next month.
.After almost a year of
investigation 49 -year-old
former Clinton area man
has been charged with
robbery using a firearm.
On April 8, 1999 .a- 50 -
year -old :woman attended an
ATM machine at the Royal
B'ank on Victoria Street in
Clinton.
Whcn she turned around,
a -man was standing inside
the door with what appeared
to he a gun, sticking out of`
his coat.
He forced her to her
•
vehicle and after a
struggle he grabbed
• 5150 in cash and left
the scene..
The man, who lived in
Clinton at the time of the
offense, is currently in
custody on other matters.
Break and enter
in Tuckersmith
A residence on. Front
Road in Tuckersmith Twp.
was reported to be entered
shortly after 5 -p.m. on
March 29.
Thieves entered the house
by throwing a Krick through
a rear door window hut
were scared: away by an
audible alarm.
The house was searched
and nothing was found
stolen. -
-Have a news,
tip?
Call The
Huron
Expositor
L 527-0240
J
Complete
Automotive Repair
"Class A Mechanic"
TIRE SALES. SERVICES REPAIR
ARCHIE'S
Sews e e othe
l 527-0881
2 t
Goderich St E. Sea ort
MATRIX
Party Girl.
Prom Hair.
We give prom styles
attitude. It's a modern,
high-energy look for the
night of a lifetime. A.
look that says you're
going ' places after grad-
uation. And it's available
only at our Matrix salon
So call nowl
Stylish Looks for graduation, proms & weddings
MAKE -UP -NAILS -TANNING
Full Service Salon
Open 6 days & 4 evenings
527-0780
59 Main St., Seaforth
THE HURON IXPO$ITOII,,April II, 1000.4
Game On!
THIS WEEK....
Seaforth Food Market Sat., April 8
Draw for a Trip Voucher, Tickets 51.00
All proceeds to the Save the School Fund
Seaforth`Home&CardenShow April 5'& 6
Putt to Save our School
UPCOMING....' ,
Silent Auction in conjuction with Family
• Golf Tournament and Barbecue
- Saturday, May 13th -
at Seaforth Golf and Country Club
Looking forany article or services
that could lac donated to fund our legal battle.
eg. 2 hours garden/lawn service
by Susan Arts
Please call by May ht.
Susan Arts 522-1085 with danation
Exositor
fRt;�6 rff[6 Flff3 ! tN•Si l
;R":1
.1 -ea 4N".
1
MINOR BALL • SOCCER & IN-LINE •
HOCKEY REGISTRATION
AT THE SEAFORTH & DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 - 7:00 - 9:00 pm
• &I tr
THURSDAY, APRIL 6 - 7:00 - 9:00 pm
• MINOR BALL
The Seaforth Minor Ball Association offers a complete ball program for
boys and girls beginning with T -Bal$ ages 46 years and Houseleague ages •
6- and up and travel teams from ages 9 to 19 years_ Registration fees
range from 525 00.to 540 00 volunteers are ahvays needed.
MINOR SOCCER
• The Seaforth Minor Soccer Program is Houseleague only Children are
split up into 2 or 3 different groups and play ane night per week at the
Optimist Parrk. The low registration lee gives all children approximately
10 weeks of soccer. Parents are required to help out in any way they
can Please sign the sheets during registration.
JN -LINE HOCKEY
The leaforth and Oistnct Community Centres will host in-line Hockey for
youths and adults .The youth league will be held on Wednesday evenings
• and is for chidren 6 -to 16 years of age. The Women s Leagues for ladies 6
14 years and up and is played on Tuesday evenings form April to Jute
Call the Arena at 5271272 for more information on In-line Hockey.
• PLEASE TRY TO SIGN.VP:ON EITHER NIGHT. AS LEAGUES NEED TO
PLAN BEFORE PLAY CAN BEGIN
CALL THE RECREATION OFFICE AT 527-0882
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• . •
5 Reasons
Simplicity Is BEST
INSTOCK '99s BEST CUT...
BLOWOUT PRICES Free Floating"' only
mower
9
•
EiEASY TO DRIVE...
Fun and Fast. Tighest
tums of any competitor.
ElSUPERIOR TRACTION...
from exclusive traction
control features.
VARIETY OF FINANCE
PLANS AVAILABLE*
4
SIMPLICITY TRACTORS UST...
All -steel construction with fully -featured engines from
world-class U.S: manufacturers.
EjBUY FROM AN EXPERT...
Simplicity dealers otter test
drives. take trade-ins. and will
setup and deliver. They. ' - ,;
service what they sell. -
NEW Zero Turn
Riding Mower with
Lever Steer Control
,14
McGavin
FARM EQUIPMENT LTD.
WALTON
527-0245
or
SERVICE W TH A SMILE
'We mil ins pea and gmMr sic
887-6365
C) Simplicity