The unjust conviction of Canadian Guy Paul Morin On January 23, 1995, Guy Paul Morin was acquitted of the first-degree murder of Christine Jessop, ten years after his arrest and two long criminal trials. This is a case where the justice system failed at every level and left Ontario courts wondering how it happened. On October 3, 1984, nine-year-old Christine Jessop was abducted from her home in Queensville, Ontario. Her body was found three months later, fifty-five kilometers east of her home, raped and stabbed to death (Fennell, 1997). In the weeks following the discovery of Christine's body, police revealed several strong suspects but no direct evidence linking anyone. Shortly thereafter they began to focus on Morin, solely because of his "strange behavior" (Chisholm, 1995). The police became even more suspicious when Morin did not attend the funeral: he thought he should be invited (Chisholm, 1995). This body of circumstantial evidence was further plagued by errors and tainted testimony as his trials progressed. From the beginning there has been a prejudice against Morin. The police convinced the Jessops to swear falsely so that the evidence would remain valid. When brought for interrogation, the interrogation was audio recorded for confirmation. The tape ended after forty-five minutes, and Fitzpatrick and Shephard testified that in the remaining ninety minutes Morin confessed to the murder and repeatedly made guilty comments (King, 1998). The prosecution suffered from disconcerting tunnel vision of Morin's guilt. Their entire argument for both trials was based on some questionable points. There was the "evidence" of Morin's opportunity to commit the crime, the alleged confessions during the interrogation, h... middle of paper... n the conviction of an innocent man. When prosecutors and police violate our human rights, even under the delusion that this is done solely for good, the province itself becomes a thug using people in power to achieve a particular goal. According to Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, “the greatest dangers to liberty lie in the insidious encroachment by zealous, well-intentioned, but uncomprehending men” (King, 1998). Bibliography Chisholm, P. (1995). “Righting a Wrong” in Maclean's. 108(6). Toronto: Maclean0Hunter.D'Arcy, J. (1993). "Morin Fights" in Maclean's. 106(3). Toronto: Maclean-Hunter.Fennell, T. (1997). "Sorry, Paul" in Maclean's. 110(26). Toronto: Maclean-Hunter.King, J. (1998) www.criminaljustice.org/CHAMPION/ARTICLES/98aug01.htmWickens, B. (1998). "Final Vindication" in Maclean's. 111(16). Toronto: Maclean-Hunter.