Loading...
The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-08-30, Page 5Truscott ordeal should not be forgotten Dear Editor, Unlike a recent writer to you, I feel that the ordeal of Steven Truscott should NOT be forgotten, as we have yet to reform our criminal code and our system off justice to apply the lessons we should have learned from the Harper-Truscott case. Lille the previous writer, I am convinced that Truscott was in- nocent, and.; agree that Truscott Should be allowed to live a normal life in anonymity, unless he himself wishes to do • otherwise. The fact that he was released from prison under exceptional.. precautions to protect his anonymity is, in my opinion, a tacit admission by the Department of Justice that there is now at least reasonable doubt whether Truscott eQrx1,- mitted the crime or received a fair trial, and also a high degree of confidence that he is unlikely to be a future danger to society. I can see no justfication whatever for trial of a 14 - year -old in adult criminal court, and believe that our law should be changed to prevent it, and to protect the identity off the accused, at least until convicted beyond reasonable doubt. In crimes ashighly inflammatory of local residents' emotions as the Lynne HarPer case, the trial should automatically be held in another area, where the chances off obtaining a truly impartial jury are much greater. A jury tries to be impartial but may find it difficult. proportion of sex pervert • murderers though not all, repeat their crimes if not apprehended and most are mentally deranged (or sometimes under the influence of hallucenogenic ,drugs and -or alcohol at the time of the crime), and ,if not apprehended, are likely, to constitute a continuing danger to society. A few, of course, are so shocked, when they regain'; their senses, by the enormity of their crime, that they swear off drugs and alcohol forever, and never again commit a crime: If Steven Truscott's ordeal during his prosecution and .over 10 years of imprisonment results in reform of Canada's laws and legal system to prevent possible similar miscarriages of justice in the future, I do not think that Steven himself will regard his ordeal to have been in vain. Indeed, he may possibly become a future leader in reform of The really disturbing aspect of the Lynne Harper murder case is that, because a more thorough search for sex pervert suspects ap- parently was not made., the guilty person may still be at large, and may have committed many similar, unsolved mur- ders since. A considerable our penal and justice systems, for all we know. In this last respect, I am reminded of the case of John Howard, former distinguished M,.,P. for Skeena, and •no•w an M.L.A. in B.C., who, when someone attempted .to blackmail him with the threat of revealing that head when 16 or 17, been convicted as an unarmed accessory in an armed robbery, and served time in penitentiary, went on Vancouver i` V: t5n`ptittle" weekend time to tell the story of his • early con- viction and his later work, to the B.C. public at large. By this time, he had distinguished himself as a leader in prison reform and the rehabilitation of young criminals, as well as a distinguished and able Parliamentarian, and it is to the credit of the Parliament of the day that he was welcomed back to the House the following week by thunderous applause Businessmen a credit to town. Dear Editor: Five days ago my wife left her wallet in a Goderich store while shopping in several Legion... •frompage4 Bluewater Band to the Veterans' Plot where we pay tribute to our, former members and all veterans who rest in the Maitland Cemetery. We shall remember them. Yours truly, Neil Shaw, Public Relations and Publicity Chairman, Branch 109. Pretty Dear r.annor: Goderich - the Prettiest Town in Canada! How true! I spent a day in the old home town recently and it never looked better. The pride the residents take in their homes and gardens was so evident. The civic authorities are to be congratulated on their program to improve the streets and sidewalks and the Square. Keep up the good work. J. Douglas Middleton Closed Dear Editor', The Huron Historic Jail will be closed on week- •- days beginning Sep- tember 4. We will be open on Saturdays and Sun- days from noon until 5 p.m. until November when we close down the operation .until April 15, 1980. It is then bpen Monday to Friday only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We open again on May 24 weekend on a daily basis for -the summer season. We appreciate the excellent publicity given to our operation by your paper during the past season. We feel certain that this has played an important role in our success. On July. 7 of this year, we celebrated very quietly, our fifth an- niversary of operation as a museum and are looking forward to many more. Our ongoing main- tenance program will ensure that there is a long future in store for this grand old structure and it is our sincerest wish that the efforts of all those involved in making this possible will be ap- preciated by the residents of this area and those who visit. ' Harry Bosnell Curator_ Guaranteed Investment Certificates I0%' W.E. (TED) WILLIAMS 524-7102 or 524-7445 stores in_town.. Initially she was not certain in which store the wallet was left and as we were vacationing, it was several days before the wallet was missed. After-hours telephone calls to store operators were made tb try to locate the missing wallet. It contained a nominal sum of money •but also held almost one dozen di -edit cards with a high credit value and many personal cards and licences. Each of the store operators appreciated our concern for the loss, did not object to the "after hours contact" and in turn put us in touch "with people at the next possible store in 'Order that the, shopping path could be traced. Ultimately it became apparent that the wallet might have been left at Leisure World in the Suncoast Mall. Through the Fincher's Store on The Square and through a network of telephone calls by the Fincher family and the Leisure World store staff, young Tom Fincher was' located at a Sunday tennis tournament at the Maitland Country Ciub. Following a visit.to .the. tennis club, Tom Fincher willingly made a special trip to the store to return the missing. wallet to us. In a businesslike fashion he had already recorded the time, date and place of finding the wallet and was • making arrangements to forward the wallet to 'the home address in Burlington contained within it. The integrity and businesslike manner in which he handled this incident is a credit to the young people of your town and the help willingly provided by the other merchants is ap- preciated. People like the above are a credit to the vacationland in which they operate their business and make Goderich once again a fine place in which to take a family vacation. Paul and Donna Evans Burlington, Ontario Chain letters are against the law Dear Editor: When we discuss safety, most often there is concern for one's physical self such as preventing injury to the body. This week I would like to pass on some in- formation which may keep your wallet or purse safe from becoming empty through an unlawful financial venture which may sound good at the time. Presently the Ontario Provincial Police Anti - Gambling Squad is conducting an in- vestigation into a chain letter circulating in the _Province of Ontario-. The purchaser of one of these letters is led to believe that by investing $100 he or she can reap a return on $204,800. This • scheme 'is unlawful and any person with knowledge of the letter or participating in it is requested to contact their nearest O.P.P. Detachment and leave their name, address and phone number, and you DON'S SHOE PLACE "Because you're worth it" SUNCOAST MALL says fit them properly. in EVEN THE LATEST IN -FALL FASHIONS SAVE UP TO '25.00 will be contacted by an O.P.P. member. Please remember that your police force is an .:xtension of you, and we can only enforce your laws as well as citizens help the police. A small bit of information may lead to the solving of many crimes and it is your responsibility and duty to assist in this way. Be safe. - report a crime. All information will always be treated. with the highest con- fidence. R.W. Wilson, No. 3629 Community Services Officer Huron view news Father Hardy held Roman Catholic mass on Friday morning. Bingo was played in the Auditorium . on Friday afternoon. We would like to thank Rev. Darrell for filling in for Rev. Wittick while he was on holidays. At the Church service on Sun- day, Mrs. Elsie Hen- derson played the organ, and Rev. Wittick led a prayer' request for Mrs. Polly Wiltse and Mrs. Edith Lovett. These ladies are both in Clinton hospital. Tuesday noon, first floor north men and men's bed care held their barbecue. An invitation was extended to the other men in the building, who wished to feast on hamburgers and hotdogs and there wwere 59 men in attendance. Plans are now completed for our trip to Niagara Falls. We have hired a van from Murphy's Bus Line, and ten residents and two staff will be leaving at 8:30 p.m. on September 12. We will be taking a tour of Niagara Falls on the 13 and returning home later •__in _..,.the-. eveni.ng. We would . like to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dunn from Bayfield; Mrs, Mary Allister and Mrs. Muriel Gibson from " Hensel!: Mrs. Luella Norris from Seaforth; and Miss Edna Mustard from Brucefield. These are all new residents this past week. Sympathy is expressed to the families of Mrs. Ella McAsh, and Mrs. Mary Glrasby. from all sides. I am hoping that pubic conscience over the in- justice which many believe to have been committed. against Steven Truscott, both before ' and after his conviction, will result in reform'°of our legal system so as to prevent possible future similar miscarriages, and also to aid in the rehabilitation of young offenders. All too often, because of lack of such a .rehabilitation system, first offenders are im- prisoned with hardened criminals and "trained" in what turn out to be advanced "schools of crime. GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, AUGUST30, 1979—PAGE 5 Ultirnateiy, there Is a great saving to be made, both in financial and human terms, by abolition of these "schools of crime", and rehabilitation of our young offenders. Yours very truly, Harold B. Stevens, M.C.L.C. Port Hope R.K. PECK APPLIANCES In The Heart of Down Town Vorno • Vacuum Cleaners Sales and Service of mc-st makes • CB Radios and Accessories • Speed queen Appliances • Moffat Appliances • Smoke Sensors • Insect Lights pod Fly K illrng Unit • Handcrafted Gifts Varna. Ont. Phone 487 7103 STORES COAST-TO-COAST, CANADIAN -OWNED AN= zLitaLIZ sport shop HWY. 21. South GODERICH COME ON OVER E'RE P E R MONDAY, SEPT. 3 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. SUKOAST MALL rl if THE eirt,/ SHOPPE and YARN CENTRE FURNITURE WORLD Don's Shoe Place "Because You're Worth It"