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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-04-12, Page 9The Huron Expositor • April 12, 2006 Page 9 News Lynne Harper's body exhumed for DNA testing Court of Appeal scheduled to begin hearing into Truscott's murder conviction June 19 Jane Sims and Jennifer Hubbard Nearly 50 years after she was laid to rest, the body of 12 -year-old Lynne Harper was exhumed April 6 for DNA testing. On Monday, Ontario's chief coro- ner Dr. Barry McLellan said experts were unable to conduct DNA tests on Harper's remains for the review of Steven Truscott's 1959 trial. Truscott, who now calls Guelph home, was convicted of raping and murdering the 12 -year-old girl, but has always maintained his inno- cence. David Yates, a long-time area res- ident and Central Huron secondary school law teacher, said every time he mentions the Truscott case in class he must start with one simple fact. "Lynne Harper, a 12 -year-old - girl, was savagely assaulted and raped in 1959 and justice for her is likely not going to be served. Truscott is going to have his day in court and eventually his name will probably be cleared. I have every faith in the justice system that the right thing will be done," he commented. "Unfortunately for Lynne Harper and her family, they're never going to get closure on this. Her little soul and her little body are going to be disturbed and her parents are going to have to relive that. "But I suppose it's a necessary step that the legal system has to go through to exhaust all leads in the case before Truscott's appeal can go forward." McLellan said Monday the condi- tion of the girl's remains, which are nearly five decades old, made DNA testing impossible. Attorney General Michael Bryant said there was a hope exhuming the girl's body might uncover evidence that couldn't be tested years ago. Harper's body was exhumed Thursday from a centuries' old cemetery off Highway 4 in Union — near St. Thomas — with her fami- ly's consent. A whites tent was pitched over the grave near the back of the ceme- tery to block any view of the activity at the site. Later that afternoon, a five -vehi- cle convoy, including an OPP foren- sics vehicle, emerged from the site to a solemn salute from uniformed officers at the gate. After being examined, the girl's body was re -interred late Friday fol- lowing a short religious ceremony attended by her family. Clinton -area resident Bob Lawson wasn't surprised to hear that no additional evidence could be found. "I couldn't see how they would find anything of significance after all this time," said Lawson, who now owns Lawson's bush where Harper's body was found in 1959. "Everyone you talk to is pretty well convinced that everything wasn't done quite as well as it should have been at the time and they jumped on the person who was last seen with her." While he was unable to comment on the science of DNA testing, local defence lawyer Quinn Ross said he has seen many cold cases solved by DNA testing on exhumed bodies, including the Pickton pig farm mur- ders in British Columbia. "If this can provide any further evidence or some closure to the mat- ter it'sa good thing given the value of the case and what it represents in the Canadian mindset," Quinn com- mented from his office in Goderich prior to the Monday announcement. "This case is very important, not just to the Harpers and the Truscotts, but the Canadian justice system as a whole." "The exhumation demonstrates that the Canadian justice system is willing to look at itself and honestly better itself where there is a percep- tion – whether fair or not – that it did not conduct itself appropriately." Aside from the Donnelly murders in 1880, Yates said the Truscott trial is arguably the most famous criminal case in Canada. "I remember hearing all kinds of stories about whether he was OPP officers salute as a convoy London of vehicles, carrying the exhumed body of Lynne Harper, United Church Cemetery last week. Free Press photo including one leaves the Union ®tet 71, HOLY WEEK MAS SCHEDULE AT LOCAL CATHOLIC CHURCHES Holy Thursday, April 13 7:30 p.m. St. James, Seaforth 7:30 p.m. St. Joseph's, Clinton Good Friday, April 14 11:00 a.m. St. Joseph's, Clinton 3:00 p.m. St. James, Seaforth Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 15 8:00 p.m. St. James, Seaforth EASTER SUNDAY, April 16 9:00 a.m. St. Joseph's, Clinton 11:00 a.m. St. James, Seaforth 11 fik Mk I Wishing you & your families a Joyous Easter! 4 guilty or innocent, but it seems like public opinion now has shifted deci- sively in the way that it's just assumed that Truscott didn't do it," he added. "I know a lot of people my parents' age that swore that he did it. Nearly everyone who expresses an opinion now says he's not guilty, but I bet you couldn't find 12 people in Clinton in 1959 that would have voiced that openly." The Ontario Court of Appeal is scheduled to begin its hearing into the murder conviction of the now 61 -year-old Truscott on June 19. with files from Canadian Press 4 3 Church Services You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Spirit Jarvis St. Seaforth 527-1522 Rector. The Rev'd Sue Malpus. M. Div Holy Week Services Maundy Thurs., Apr. 13 - 7 pm (at Trinity, Mitchell) Good Friday, Apr. 14- 1:30 pm Easter Vigil, Sat., Apr. 15 - 8 pm Easter Sunday, Apr. 16 - 9:30 am Everyone Welcome Rector's Coffee Hour Tues. Apr. 18 - 9-10 am Tues. Apr.18 - Council Meeting at 7:30 pm Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Good Friday 10:00 a.m. Easter Sunday 11:00 a.m. Youth Activities Wednesday 7:00 p.m. B&G Club Wednesday 7:00 p.m. EVERYONE WELCOME NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W. Rev. John Gould AprH 16", 2006 Worship 11:00 a.m. Sermon: Reasonable Faith Nursery During Worship Adult & Teen Bible Discussion 9:30 a.m. St. James Roman Catholic Church Welcomes you 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm - Sun. 11:00 am Fr. Chris Gillespie Egmondville United Church Friday April 14 - Good Friday Service at Ilam Sun. Apr. 16 - Sunrise Service at 7:30 am at Bill and Gail Price's. Muffins and coffee to follow at the church Easter Sunday Service at l l am EVERYONE WELCOME Steve Hildebrand La Pastoral Minister in Trainin I First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Rev. Henryuberts Easter Sunday, April 16th Worship 11:15 a.m. Sunday School & Nursery Provided May 14th - Mother's Day Breakfast - tickets now.available ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH ST. VINCENT de PAUL 81 Mill St. Dublin 29 Nelson St. Mitchell Father Alan Dufralmont Office 345-2972 Mass Times St. Patricks St. Vincent de Paul Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun. 9:00 a.m. Wheelchair Accessible - Eve • e Welcome