'You were innocent': Judge acquits Manitoba man 50 years after murder conviction
An Indigenous man convicted of killing a restaurant worker 50 years ago was acquitted Thursday by a judge who called the case a wrongful conviction that involved systemic discrimination.
Clarence Woodhouse, 72, held up his court papers, along with a T-shirt that said "Innocent", outside court. He told reporters he is looking forward to spending time with his son and grandchildren.
"I'll probably just relax," Woodhouse said in a quiet voice.
Woodhouse is the third man to be exonerated in the 1973 death of Ting Fong Chan, a chef who was beaten and stabbed near a downtown construction site. Brian Anderson and Allan Woodhouse were acquitted last year.
The federal justice minister ordered a review of their case as likely miscarriages of justice. Their 1974 convictions were based largely on statements given to police that were fluent in English, including what prosecutors called a signed confession by Anderson.
The men's lawyers argued that the statements to police were not legitimate. Clarence Woodhouse and Anderson were not fluent in English and spoke Salteaux as a first language.
A Crown attorney told court Thursday that police coerced and manufactured the statement from Woodhouse, whose limited English was evident at trial. He was not provided an interpreter.
"Our justice system failed to provide Mr. Woodhouse and his co-accused a fair trial," Michele Jules said.
Chief Justice Glenn Joyal of the Court of King's Bench apologized on behalf of the justice system to Woodhouse, who spent more than a decade behind bars before being released on parole.
"There's nothing I can say to you that can give you back those 12 years," Joyal said.
"You were wrongfully convicted. You were innocent."
Joyal spoke at length about past wrongdoings of the justice system and efforts being made to move toward "judicial reconciliation."
Anderson served almost 11 years and was given full parole in 1987. Allan Woodhouse served 23 years. The two are suing three levels of government, saying their imprisonment was the result of racial discrimination.
A fourth man -- Russell Woodhouse, Clarence Woodhouse's brother -- was also convicted. He died in 2011.
James Lockyer, a lawyer and director with Innocence Canada, which has represented all three men, has said there needs to be an examination of homicide convictions involving Indigenous people over the last five decades in Manitoba.
Jerome Kennedy, another lawyer with the group, said outside court Thursday that Innocence Canada is also working on cases involving Indigenous men in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario that are moving toward a request for a review by the federal justice minister.
He said he'd like to see a national effort, led by the federal government, to take on wrongful convictions and reach out to people behind bars.
"There appears to be a deeper systemic issue that requires a targeted approach," Kennedy said.
"Statistically, we know that with the disproportionate number of Indigenous people in jail that there has to be wrongful convictions. Oftentimes, these people don't know who to reach out to or how to reach out."
Later Thursday, Woodhouse met with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew at the legislature.
"I think the main thing we want to get across is to apologize and say we're sorry," Kinew said.
The Winnipeg Police Service acknowledged the decision Thursday and said its policies and practices have changed.
"Videotaping suspect and witness statements for major and serious crimes is now commonplace, the identification process now includes dedicated forensic investigators, advancements have been made in the collection of accurate evidence, and all police personnel are required to undergo mandatory bias-free and culturally based education and training," the service said in a press release.
"Along with evolving case law and legislative amendments, we will continue our efforts to address systemic issues in policing to help prevent wrongful convictions and uphold the integrity of the justice system."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Sparks fly as MPs question minister on pension implications of proposed election date change
Sparks flew at a parliamentary committee Thursday as MPs questioned Canada's democratic institutions minister about a widely opposed provision in electoral reform legislation that seeks to delay the next fixed election date by one week.
'There is no electricity': Canadian travellers in Cuba urge caution in hurricane's wake
Cuba's power grid was knocked out by Hurricane Rafael, which ripped across the country as a Category 3 storm. In western Cuba, it toppled buildings and pushed 50,000 people to find shelter elsewhere. Cubans were already enduring rolling blackouts due to energy shortages.
Three charged in One Direction singer Liam Payne's death
Three people have been charged in relation to One Direction singer Liam Payne's death in a fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony last month, Argentine authorities said on Thursday.
RCMP already 'on high alert' for potential wave of migrants after Trump election
Canada's federal police force has been preparing for months on a contingency plan for a potential massive influx of migrants across the border following Trump's promise of 'mass deportations' of millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
'There was no stopping this baby from coming': Woman gives birth while aboard Newfoundland ferry
A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.
Volkswagen models recalled for airbag safety precaution
Recall notices have been issued for some Volkswagen models from 2006 to 2019 for airbag safety issues.
Canmore wildlife and landscape defender Karsten Heuer dies peacefully at 56
Canmore conservationist Karsten Heuer, who was a biologist, park ranger, author and activist, has died.
America votes: How celebrities are reacting to Trump's decisive victory
Celebrities from Hulk Hogan to Ariana Grande are sharing their reactions to the U.S. election, which will see Donald Trump return to the White House.
3 Winnipeg police officers charged with breach of trust, theft
Three members of the Winnipeg Police Service have been charged with breach of trust, obstruction of justice and theft following a lengthy investigation