The Steven Truscott Story

by Bill Trent

At fourteen, Steve Truscott was a typical teenager in rural Ontario in the fifties, mainly concerned about going fishing, playing football, and racing bikes with his friends. One summer evening, his twelve-year-old classmate, Lynne Harper, asked for a lift to the nearby highway on his bicycle and Steve agreed. Unfortunately, that made Steve the last person known to see Lynne alive.

His world collapsed around him when he was arrested and then convicted of killing Lynne Harper. The penalty at the time was death by hanging. Although the sentence was changed to life in prison, Steve suffered for years behind bars for a murder he didn't commit. When his case gained national attention, the Supreme Court of Canada reviewed the evidence -- and confirmed his conviction.

It took over forty years and a determination to prove his innocence for him to finally clear his name. He has since received an apology and compensation for his ordeal.

Genres: Nonfiction

166 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Bob Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good account of the story at that time when we were not much older than Steven Truscott.; making this a very relevant story for me.

[Judy Monchuk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like The Steven Truscott Story, which I read decades ago when my elementary school librarian told me I needed to know about his case. She was right. Truscott was 14 when he was sentenced to hang for the rape-murder of a 12-year-old classmate, a 1959 ruling that would eventually spark outrage across Canada and change how many viewed justice. Truscott was released on parole after a decade of maintaining his innocence and this book is said to be his own words. Written in 1971, this may be Truscott's story. But it's flat, naive and doesn't fill in any of the gaps that jump out. I expect that a bewildered youth may not remember the specifics of evidence in a court case where his life is on the line. I also expect the writer who spent months with him could have asked questions to bring out some depth.
But it could also be that re-reading this in 2020 comes with the knowledge of other wrongfully convicted in Canada: David Milgaard, Donald Marshall, Guy-Paul Morin. Legal rights are better understood and forensic evidence is not a mystery. Steven Truscott's story sparked outrage in my 11-year-old self and a passion for social justice. My childhood librarian was right: Truscott's story is vital reading. But there are better books about it, in particular "Until You Are Dead": Steven Truscott's Long Ride into History.

[Caitlin Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite auto/biography ever read. My mother introduced me to this book when I was in the seventh grade. I have read this book three times and plan to read it many more. It is truly a heartfelt story that places readers within the life of Steven. Part of the reason I loved this book was because my mother loved it, but also because it was real and happened in the province that I live in. I have never, in my life heard this story told or mentioned outside of myself reading it. I think this book and story should be told to those who want to know more about crimes and criminal offenses in Canada. I find myself searching these events yearly trying to see if the "cold case" is re-opening yet it never is. Lynn's death will always be a mystery, but I stand by Steven and believe that his story is one of truth, and the real killer is long since gone and dead.