Podcast Summary: Canadian True Crime — Bruce Lorenz [2]

Host: Kristi Lee
Date: November 29, 2024
Episode Focus: The murder trial of Gordon Allen for the 1978 killing of Toronto lawyer Bruce Lorenz—examining the investigation, trial, and aftermath (Part 2 of 2).

Episode Overview

This episode concludes the tragic and perplexing Bruce Lorenz case—a high-profile 1978 Toronto murder that became a test of circumstantial evidence, legal theatrics, and the fallibility of memory. Through meticulous storytelling, host Kristi Lee explores the prosecution of Gordon Allen, the key role of Lorenz’s wife Lauralee, and the controversial tactics used by both police and Crown to secure a conviction. The episode draws on trial transcripts, newspaper reports, and lawyer Edward Greenspan’s own writings to paint a portrait of justice under intense public scrutiny.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Background Recap (01:54–04:00)

• Victim: Bruce Lorenz, 36, Toronto lawyer, found shot dead in his Mustang at a subway station.
• Accused: His wife, Lauralee Lorenz, and her ex-boyfriend, Gordon Allen.
• Charges: Lauralee took a plea bargain (accessory after the fact) and testified against Gordon; her murder charge dropped.
• Sensational Context: The case drew crowds and dominated headlines due to its salacious "love triangle" and rumours of greed.

2. Lauralee Lorenz’s Testimony (04:00–19:00)

• Marriage Issues: Bruce and Lauralee’s troubled relationship, struggles with infertility, adoption of two boys, and marital discord.

• Affair: Lauralee and Gordon’s “on-off” relationship, failed business, Lauralee returning to Bruce, but still in contact with Gordon.

• Day of Murder:

  • Lauralee claims to have received a confession call from Gordon at 6:30pm, which she “blocked from memory” until taking truth serum before her own trial.
  • Memorable quote:

    "I recognised the voice as being Gordon's... He said, 'Guess what? I think I've just killed your husband.' I screamed into the phone, 'What did you say? What did you do?'"
    — Lauralee testifying (08:15)

• Cross-Examination by Defence Lawyer Edward Greenspan (10:27–13:25)

  • Greenspan presses on plausibility of Lauralee forgetting such a shocking confession.
  • Highlights contradictions in Lauralee’s statements to friends, family, police, and priest—challenging the reliability of her “recovered memory.”
  • Notable exchange:

    “You told countless people that Gordon didn't do it... But your subconscious knew better, right?”
    “You could put it that way.”
    (10:52–13:11)

  • Suggests Lauralee’s story conveniently saved her from a first-degree murder charge.

• Other Testimony:

  • Lauralee’s dinner guest, Leanne, contradicts her timeline and reactions, suggesting Lauralee acted as if nothing was amiss after the supposed confession call.

• Police Perspective:

  • Officers found Lauralee "hysterical" when notified of Bruce’s death but oddly uninterested in details, suggesting foreknowledge.
  • Lauralee phoned Bruce's brother and said Bruce had been shot, before police released that information—a point ruled inadmissible since Lauralee was not on trial.

• Wiretaps (19:11–19:43):

  • Overhearing Lauralee and Gordon cautioning each other and expressing affection, interpreted by Crown as signs of collusion but by Lauralee as avoidance of trauma.

3. Forensic & Circumstantial Evidence (19:43–33:00)

• Key Physical Evidence:
  • Gas receipt places Gordon Allen in northwest Toronto during the murder timeframe, conflicting with his initial alibi that he was in Orillia all day.
  • Chocolate brown corduroy jacket seized from Gordon tested positive for "blood" using the unreliable phenolphthalein test; later discredited in cross.
  • Witnesses describe killer in tan/camel coat, which doesn’t match Gordon’s usual jacket.
• Bomb Plot Theory:
  • Police find Gordon has a remote device; Crown alleges he planned a car bombing, but demonstration fails in court.
• Alternative Motives:
  • Hearsay that Bruce feared for his life due to involvement in real estate fraud—suggesting other possible killers.

4. Gordon Allen’s Defense (33:00–40:00)

• Alibi Construction:
  • Admits to lying about movements out of fear. Claims he went to Toronto for a date with another woman, Irene, at the relevant time.
  • Irene corroborates timing of a phone call aligning with the gas receipt.
• Romantic Motive Challenged:
  • Other women (Carol Ann, Mary Jane) testify Gordon was not exclusive to Lauralee.
  • Mary Jane recalls seeing a gun at Gordon’s house and discusses an article about Bruce’s murder, but never felt threatened.
• Forensic Discrepancies:
  • Only circumstantial evidence, witness inconsistencies about coat color/hair color.
  • Police are accused of tunnel vision and improper identification techniques—showing only Gordon’s photos to witnesses.

5. Competing Theories & Closing Arguments (47:25–71:00)

• Crown’s Theory:
  • Gordon, in love with Lauralee, killed Bruce for love and financial gain (insurance, estate).
  • Timeline: Gas, meet Bruce at subway, commit murder, confess in 6:30pm call, return to Orillia for bar alibi.
  • Points to numerous “unfortunate coincidences.”
  • Quote:

    "The accused wanted Lauralee and the children more than anything else... One thing stood in the way. Bruce Lorenz."
    — Crown closing (70:40)

• Defence’s Rebuttal:
  • Timeline too tight for Gordon to have been both in Downsview and at the murder scene.
  • The entire case hinges on Lauralee’s belatedly recovered memory of the 6:30pm call.
  • Suggests Lauralee fabricated the phone call after being shown police documents and facing her own murder trial.
  • Highlights lack of direct evidence and alternate suspects (muggers, possible hitmen, Bruce’s shady business dealings).

6. Jury Deliberation and Verdict (71:00–73:00)

• Judge’s Instructions:

  • Must be all or nothing: guilty or not guilty.
  • Points out “astounding” nature of Lauralee’s recovered memory.

• Outcome:

  • After 3.5 days, jury acquits Gordon Allen of first-degree murder.
  • Quote:

    "I can live again. I never once doubted that our justice would arrive at the truth, but this will stay with me for the rest of my life."
    — Gordon Allen (73:09)

• Aftermath:

  • Lauralee’s accessory plea is voided; she successfully sues for part of Bruce’s estate.
  • Police officers who forged Lauralee’s signature for an affidavit face criminal charges, but only receive discharges—no jail, but careers ended.

7. Reflections on the Case and Legacy (73:00–76:00)

• Edward Greenspan’s Views:

  • Believes police targeted Lauralee and Gordon to the exclusion of all other theories.
  • Suggests parallels with noir film "Double Indemnity."
  • Critiques of investigative tunnel vision, and open questions about the real killer.
  • Quote:

    “No man is legally guilty until guilt is imposed by the court.”
    — Edward Greenspan (towards end)

• Case Remains Unsolved:

  • Lauralee, despite promises, never spoke publicly again.
  • No new information has ever emerged; the murder of Bruce Lorenz remains a mystery.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lauralee’s Shock:
  "I screamed into the phone, what did you say? What did you do?" (08:18)
• Greenspan’s Razor-sharp Cross:
  "Well, no, you're putting it that way." (13:33)
• Crown’s Closing:
  "The accused wanted Laura Lee and the children more than anything else in his entire life." (70:40)
• Jury Acquittal Relief:
  "I can live again." (73:09)
• Greenspan’s Reflection:
  “No man is legally guilty until guilt is imposed by the court.” (approx. 75:00)

Important Timestamps

• Trial Recap & Key Evidence Review: 01:54–19:00
• Lauralee on Stand & Cross-Examination: 08:15–13:25
• Wiretaps Introduced: 19:11–19:43
• Gordon Allen Testimony & Alibi: 33:00–40:00
• Mary Jane's Gun Testimony: ~44:00
• Crown’s Timeline Recreation: ~47:30 onwards
• Jury Deliberation & Verdict: 71:00–73:00
• Final Reflections & Unanswered Questions: 73:00–76:00

Tone and Style

• Narrative Style: Immersive, fact-based, respectful of trauma—Kristi Lee’s calm, methodical delivery with flashes of dry legal wit and dramatic flair via courtroom exchanges.
• Language: Mostly formal and measured, punctuated by emotionally charged trial dialogue and poignant firsthand accounts.

Conclusion

This episode masterfully dissects the labyrinthine story of Bruce Lorenz’s murder, exposing flaws in both the investigation and the Crown’s case, while painting a nuanced portrait of flawed memory, compromised justice, and enduring mystery. With Lauralee’s credibility questioned, the trial pivots on a single phone call that may never have happened—and a largely circumstantial case collapses. In the end, both accused walk free, two police careers end in disgrace, and a family is left with more questions than answers.

If you know anyone connected to this case, please respect their privacy. For more details and research sources, visit canadiantruecrime.ca.