The Boy on the Bicycle: A Forgotten Case of Wrongful Conviction in Toronto
Jul 2021 · Dundurn
Ebook
128
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About this ebook
On the night of September 15, 1956, a seven-year-old child was murdered on the deserted grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto. The main suspect was a teenage boy seen near the crime scene on a bicycle.
Toronto police arrested Ron Moffatt, a fourteen-year-old former CNE employee who vaguely fit the description of the suspect. During a tough interrogation, Ron falsely confessed and was convicted at trial.
In truth, Ron couldn’t ride a bicycle and was innocent; his phony admission was the product of fear and pressure tactics. The real culprit — sex offender and serial killer Peter Woodcock — remained at large, preying on new victims.
This shocking story has eerie parallels to the Steven Truscott case (which also involved a fourteen-year-old Ontario boy accused of murder) but has been largely forgotten until now.
A powerful account about a coerced confession, a fumbled police investigation and the crusading lawyer who fought to free Ron from custody.
Toronto police arrested Ron Moffatt, a fourteen-year-old former CNE employee who vaguely fit the description of the suspect. During a tough interrogation, Ron falsely confessed and was convicted at trial.
In truth, Ron couldn’t ride a bicycle and was innocent; his phony admission was the product of fear and pressure tactics. The real culprit — sex offender and serial killer Peter Woodcock — remained at large, preying on new victims.
This shocking story has eerie parallels to the Steven Truscott case (which also involved a fourteen-year-old Ontario boy accused of murder) but has been largely forgotten until now.
A powerful account about a coerced confession, a fumbled police investigation and the crusading lawyer who fought to free Ron from custody.
About the author
Nate Hendley is a journalist and author. His books include The Boy on the Bicycle, The Big Con, and Bonnie and Clyde: A Biography. He lives in Toronto.
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