Truscott acquitted in death of Lynn Harper

The Steven Truscott Story was one of the first "grown up" books I ever read. Even as a pre-teen it just did not seem to me that his guilt had been proved. Thanks for the update, djjd.

I've been thinking about this case a lot, as the time for a decision neared.

It seems to me that this case has been part of my whole life, my whole awareness of the criminal justice system.

I can remember reading an article in the weekend magazine that used to come with the Toronto Star - probably 40 years ago - about the case. I didn't understand everything in the article, but what I could understand didn't make sense.

Then, like Tai Chi, I read the book. Things made less sense.

I wish they'd actually come out and said "Not guilty".

It is cases such as this keeping me wary of the justice system, and against the death penalty.

I first heard of Stephen Truscott in the Toronto Telegram (now defunct) and even as a pre-teen did not make sense of what I read. My thoughts on the matter have not changed over the years and. like ehbeth, I think it should have been a not guilty reversal.

"Acquital" is the legal term for a finding of not guilty, so they did indeed find him not guilty.

I'm happy for Mr. Truscott!

The decision isn't published on CanLII yet. I'm looking forward to reading the Ont. CA's decision in its entirety.

(listening, sounds horrible, but I don't say this from a superior angle...)

The really horrible thing, osso, is that more logical suspects were ignored at the time and after all these years the Harper family will most likely never see justice for their loss.

It may be just a case of semantics. He was acquitted but never designated as innocent. They fell short at making that pronouncement. There is a difference between aquital and being deemed innocent.

At least it is over.

The difference between not guilty and innocent could mean a lot to the Truscott family.