Stoddard Online

Stoddard Online Continued from part eleven. . . .

As I have mentioned to all my readers on numerous occasions, this is a difficult story to write. There are twists and turns, and there are occasionally spur lines running off in other directions. As well, information poured in during the course of the story, thanks to a very caring audience. It is still coming in now as I type this portion of the manuscript. It is 5:30 AM on the west coast of Canada and I have received a phone call already this morning, advising me that some pertinent facts that I was seeking are now available.

Without doubt, in all endeavors in life there is a point where we tend to stop and ask ourselves if what we are doing is worth all the sacrifices necessary to achieve a projected goal. Fortunately, in this case I have never been forced to make that decision. If I had though, an event that took place yesterday morning would have renewed my strength, and boosted me to an all time high in my desire to see this case reach a rightful conclusion.

Several weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a certain gentleman who was acting as a third party in the setting up of an interview between a Mrs. Mimi Wilson and myself. I realize that the name Mimi Wilson may not mean a lot to you at this point, but trust me, it will very shortly.

Let us go back in time now to the summer of 1953. Mimi and her husband, a medical doctor from Toronto, were crossing the St. Lawrence River on a ferry heading toward Riviere du Loup. On this particular ferry there was a Jeep containing two occupants. This Jeep and it's occupants stood out for a number of reasons, among them, there were two riders, they kept pretty much to themselves, and the Jeep was constructed in a special way that I will not identify here for obvious reasons. Another important aspect of this sighting by Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, was the fact that this Jeep bore Pennsylvania license plates. Upon arrival at Riviere du Loup, this Jeep exited the ferry and proceeded in the direction of the Gaspe' Peninsula.

A few weeks later, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became aware of the fact that a Jeep of this description had been reported by Wilbert Coffin when he explained his whereabouts to the authorities. He had said he saw it in the woods with the murdered bear hunters when he returned a member of the hunting party to their broken down truck. He was introduced to the occupants of the Jeep as friends of the Lindsey's from Pennsylvania. He also would declare that the license plates on this Jeep were not Quebec plates, however, he could not state for sure where they were from.

The Wilson's, in their desire to aid the investigation contacted The Quebec Provincial Police in Montreal. They relayed their information, and were advised that someone would be back to them . They never received a response from the police, and the next they heard the trial was over and Wilbert Coffin had been convicted of first degree murder.

I will suggest to you, this was not an oversight on the part of the justice ministry of the province of Quebec. It was a planned calculated measure to suppress the evidence that the Wilson's would have given. As a matter of fact, it would have created so much doubt, that the trial most probably would never have taken place.

I do have some news however for the justice ministry. Mimi Wilson is now more determined than ever to have her evidence heard. You will not keep her down this time around. She has a full recollection of her evidence. She conveyed it to me yesterday, in a casual and matter of fact way, consistent with someone telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Mimi Wilson also told me of an incident yesterday that was not only profound, but incredibly touching, in a way that it even brought tears to a crusty old so and so like myself. She told me of a young man of 18 years who left the Ottawa area in 1978 in a Volkswagen camper bus heading for Colorado. This young man disappeared during his journey, and was never heard from again. The family of this young man were frustrated with the lack of interest shown by law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border with respect to this disappearance. It became necessary for the boy's family to investigate it themselves with the help of a private detective. It took a long time. Finally, the trail was completed. This young man had extended a helping hand to two people hitch hiking. They confessed to murdering him. This young man's name was Eric Wilson. Mimi Wilson was his Mom. You may have seen a feature length documentary on this incident. It was titled "Just Another Missing Kid." It won an academy award.

In my books, Mimi Wilson won an academy award with me yesterday. She shares the Coffin family's grief. She told me that. She also said that neither she nor her husband have ever felt that Wilbert Coffin was guilty. As a matter of fact, they have never even had doubts.

People relate many revelations to me. They always have. Maybe I am a good listener, I try to be. It is not always easy though. I related this story to you from Mimi Wilson to display her determination and drive, and her love for mankind. Considering what she has gone through, some in similar circumstances may have taken a different approach. Not Mimi, she knows the Coffin family needs her help right now, and she is prepared to provide it. The Coffin family needs your help right now as well. Let Mimi's coming forward after all these years be your inspiration to do the same thing. Otherwise, you are only protecting a bunch of thugs who did nothing for you, other than scare you into covering their butt's for them. If you know of any event that relates to this case, it is imperative that I hear from you now. This is our last chance.

Lew Stoddard
Posted to site September 26, 2006

In three days I shall be posting another episode of this tale. I have made the decision to share actual letters and correspondence with you from back in the 50's. You will see first hand the lies, the deceit, the dirty tricks of those involved in this tragedy. I will tell you now, some of it is graphic in detail, some of it is potentially damaging and embarassing to both the government of Quebec, and the government of Canada.