Guilty of Being Weird: The Story of Guy Paul Morin

Gr 7 Up—On October 3, 1984, nine-year-old Christine Jessop got off the school bus but never returned home. On July 30, 1992, a Canadian court convicted her next-door neighbor, 32-year-old Guy Paul Morin, of the first-degree rape and murder of Christine. Through two separate trials, Morin had maintained his innocence. In 1995, new DNA testing became available, exonerating him. An inquiry into the handling of this high-profile case revealed many failings in the police investigation, handling of evidence, and the Canadian legal system itself. This book investigates the events, from the disappearance to the results of the inquiry. Structured like a data log, each chapter covers a specific date. Townspeople regarded Morin as "weird" and "creepy," which contributed in the police's determination to make him the prime suspect. However, aside from his taste in swing music and beekeeping, readers learn little about the wrongly convicted man. Teens interested in CSI can turn a critical eye to badly executed procedures and biased criminal investigation. The FBI profiler's recommendations on how to stage the interrogation room are compelling. Fictionalized dialogue has been incorporated into the book as stated in the opening note. However, the choppy organization by date and the differences between the Canadian and American legal system will limit the book's appeal. Students interested in forensic sciences and criminal investigation can explore the "Crime Scene Investigations" series (Lucent).—June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CA