THE REAL REASON THAT WILBERT COFFIN HANGED

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.As soon as the federal government became involved in the Wilbert Coffin affair, it ceased being a case of probable unfair and unjust principles that were levelled against a defendant. It would fast become a political football between the province of Quebec, and the federal government of Canada, with the United States of America standing by ready to gobble up the spoils of what remained. This statement can now be easily proven. Documented proof still exists to this day that substantiates that claim.
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It is no longer a secret that premier Maurice Duplessis of Quebec hated The Right Honourable Louis St. Laurent, the prime minister of Canada. It is also no secret that St. Laurent carried a hatred just as large for Duplessis. The American administration in Washington DC knew this, and they would use these facts behind the scenes to foster their own agenda with reference to Canada. They would do it smoothly, they would do it diligently, all the while making it appear that it was Ottawa who had smoothed out the edges. If the boys in Ottawa could be manipulated into a situation where they looked good to themselves, the electorate in Canada would hopefully look favourable at them again as election time was looming.
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Prime Minister St. Laurent, and his band of loyals known as the federal cabinet must at all costs appear unified. It was paramount, affairs must be carried out accordingly. It was imperative. If the liberal government under St. Laurent was to have a chance of another term in Ottawa, the electors in Quebec must be kept onside, with or without the personal support of Duplessis.
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One must consider here, this period of Canadian history and the way that it was put together would stand out as the very catalyst in the drafting of an accord affecting the two largest trading partners on the planet. The United States Of America was not about to sit with their engines in idle. Let's face it. They had the most to lose.
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Canada had what the USA needed most, that was resources. This was post Second War, and the half way point of the century. There was an even bigger fish to fry. In 1954, Canada and The United States had embarked upon a joint venture known as The St. Lawrence Seaway. This would open both countries to vast untold fortunes in both importing and exporting. As is hoped with any vast venture such as this project, both partners would hopefully emerge as winners, except it was Canada who gave up the most to achieve the goal. This was another reason that the USA would tread carefully in her quest to control. Canadian authorities must feel that the American administration was bowing to them.
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You may be wondering what all of this has to do with the Wilbert Coffin affair. That is a fair question. From this point forward, you are going to be introduced to a new cast of characters with reference to the Wilbert Coffin affair. You will see how the above ties in directly with Regina Vs Coffin. It will appear to be a tangled web of deceit, manipulation, and corruption. Trust me, it is all of those. I also caution you. There will be parts of this that will require an indepth reading and discovery by yourselves, but if you take the time, you will see the true picture emerge. If you are not prepared to do this, then you may be wasting your time. You must remember, this was not put together fifty plus years ago in such a way that generations down the road could easily figure it out. Clearly, it was meant to deceive. Here is my documented report, although a nastier more cynical person than myself might have titled the proceeding "The United States Of America and Regina Vs Coffin" instead of simply Regina Vs Coffin. It is now necessary that we go back into time and work forward.
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Having failed to gain a new trial for Wilbert Coffin, his defense lawyers, Francois Gravel, and Arthur Maloney had made the decision to petition the federal cabinet to review the case and render a decision based on that review. The date was September, 1955. Other than a motion to approve a pay raise for themselves, politicians are not known to be expedient. The Coffin affair would be no exception. They did not know a lot about it, and anyway, it was something that had taken place down in eastern Quebec in Duplessis country. True, they wanted to look good to the people, but no matter which way they leaned, there would be a force against them. They would avoid the wrath of Duplessis if at all possible, as otherwise, they would be in a double jeopardy situation, and not a nice position to be in.
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This is where it begins to get a bit complicated. Up until now most Canadians familiar with the Wilbert Coffin case had heard of the displeasure expressed by the United States of America for three of its citizens being murdered in Quebec. True, they were upset, and of course had good reason to be. The United States Ambassador to Canada, the Honourable John Foster Dulles had touted the theory to Duplessis and to St. Laurent that the affair would have grave consequences on the tourist business, especially, from the Federation of American Sportsmen. It would have that effect to be certain, however, it went much deeper. It went much deeper with St. Laurent and the cabinet, however, Duplessis would not be made aware of the hidden implications. He was left right where all wanted him to be, thinking that the Americans were putting pressure on him with reference to the tourist trade.
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The following is the first thread of the web. It involves legal wranglings between Canada and the United States over the extradition of two individuals, W. H. Link and H. M. Green to face charges in the United States on securities fraud. The problem stemmed from December 1954 when Chief Justice W. B. Scott of the Quebec Superior Court refused to extradite these individuals to face justice in the USA. The United States administration replied by making application to the Supreme Court Of Canada to appeal this decision. The Supreme Court refused the appeal on the grounds that it had no jurisdiction in extradiction matters. The following exerpts from a confidential memo are self explanatory in this matter.
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The following is a memorandum from Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs to Secretary of State for External Affairs

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CONFIDENTIAL

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Ottawa, October 24th, 1955

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EXTRADITION, POLITICAL REASONS FOR SUBMITTING LINK AND GREEN

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REFERENCE TO THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA

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1. Scope of Memorandum

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The Minister of Justice is presenting to the Cabinet, at this week's Cabinet meeting, a draft submission to the Governor in Council, recommending that two questions be referred to the Supreme Court of Canada for hearing and consideration in regard to the Scott Judgment in the Link and Green extradition case. The Minister of Justice's draft submission to the Governor in Council will explain the legal position. The purpose of this memorandum is to set out the political reasons that make this action necessary.

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In December, 1954 Associate Chief Justice W.B. Scott of the Superior Court of Quebec, Montreal District, refused the application of the United States Government for the extradition of W.H. Link and H.M. Green on charges involving fraudulent dealings with securities under the Extradition Act, pursuant to the 1951 Supplementary Extradition Convention. The United States Government applied to the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal the decision. The Supreme Court refused the application. The Court did not pass on the substance of the judgment, as it considered that it did not have jurisdiction to hear appeals in extradition cases.

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Views of the Minister of Justice

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The Minister of Justice is of the opinion that it is important to the administration of the Extradition Treaty between Canada and the United States that this reference should be made to the Supreme Court of Canada.

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Conclusions:
By making this reference to the Supreme Court of Canada, the Canadian Government will be taking the measures open to it to meet the problem of fraudulent securities offerings across the border. Should the Canadian Government, on the other hand, decide not to make this reference to the Supreme Court of Canada, an awkward situation would be likely to develop. The United States Government would be frustrated in its efforts to solve the fraudulent securities problem and it would be in a position to place the blame on the Canadian Government. Such a situation clearly must be avoided if at all possible.

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For these reasons the Department of External Affairs supports the recommendation of the Minister of Justice that the Scott Judgment be referred to the Supreme Court of Canada.

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J. L[ÉGER

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It was necessary to show you this because it will form the basis of subsequent parts which will involve Regina Vs Coffin. The name above, J. Leger, refers to the under secretary of the Minister Of State for External Affairs. The Minister of External Affairs during this period was Lester B Pearson, who of course is no stranger to Canadian politics. He would go on to win a Nobel Peace prize, and become Prime Minister of Canada.

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As you can see, the Americans were mad at Ottawa. Justice Scott had muddied the waters when as a Quebec Superior Justice, he refused to extradite two fugitives whom Washington wanted, and then Ottawa snubbed the US Administration when the Supreme Court Of Canada refused to grant their appeal. The bottom line here of course is that Washington couldn't have cared less about Duplessis in Quebec, nor,about the Canadian federal government in Ottawa. It was a situation that needed to be straightened out, and it would require calm heads to do it. This is where the plot begins to thicken. . .

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From here it is necessary that we make a quick stop in Washington D C. The U S Attorney General of the United States, Mr. Brownell, is planning a trip to Canada. He is not going to Ottawa. He is going to Toronto to address The Canadian Club. He has been advised to maximize this trip to include business other than his speech to The Canadian Club. The following "Confidential" memo from the Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Mr. A. D. P. Heeney sums up the content of business to be conducted on the trip.

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Memorandum by Ambassador in United States

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CONFIDENTIAL

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[Washington], November 8th, 1955

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SECURITY FRAUDS; EXTRADITION; LINK AND GREENCASE136 CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE MINISTER OF JUSTICEAND THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL, AT TORONTO, NOVEMBER 7, 1955.

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It had been arranged through the Embassy that advantage should be taken of the presence of the United States Attorney General in Toronto on November 7th, for a private and informal discussion of this subject with the Minister of Justice, who was to be there for Mr. Brownell's speech to the Canadian Club. It had also been agreed that the United States Ambassador and I should be present. This had first been suggested at the meeting on September [26th], in Ottawa, of the Canada-United States Committee on Economic Affairs, when the Secretary of State had referred to the United States Government's concern.137

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The conversation took place in Mr. Brownell's suite at the Royal York Hotel on the afternoon of November 7th. It was agreed by all present that it would be entirely informal and private - a frank exchange of information and views.

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The Minister, after referring to the suggestion that a "reference" be made to the Supreme Court of Canada on the points of law arising out of the judgement of Associate Chief Justice Scott of the Quebec Superior Court and describing briefly the law and procedure which govern such references, went on to explain to the Attorney General the position of a current reference to the Supreme Court in Regina v. Coffin.

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This (Coffin) reference raised difficult and delicate issues for the Federal Government in regard to the administration of justice in the Province of Quebec, since the Supreme Court would appear to be reviewing the verdict of a Quebec Court after the unanimous refusal of an appeal by the Provincial appellate court. The Government, nevertheless, had felt bound to proceed with this reference (for reasons which Mr. Garson had explained) and the hearing would take place in December.

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For the Government, the Minister went on, to make now a second reference to the Supreme Court which would reflect on the Quebec Courts (since it would at least indirectly impugn the finding of Chief Justice Scott in the Link and Green case) would exacerbate an already complicated and delicate situation. In the opinion of the Federal authorities the Scott judgement was bad law and had the effect of frustrating the purposes of the Extradition Treaty of 1952 between Canada and the United States. The Canadian authorities, like those of the United States, were anxious to rectify the position and restore the régime which the Treaty had intended.

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In due course, Mr. Garson felt, it should be possible for a reference to be made which would achieve this purpose. The Government would wish to have this done just as soon as possible.

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The Minister said that Canadian authorities had read with interest a proposal put forward by the General Counsel for the United States Securities Exchange Commission that the Extradition Treaty should be amended to provide for an appellate procedure. The Canadian Department of Justice would be interested in exploring this possibility (which from the Government's point of view would provide, at least prima facie, a politically easier course than a reference to the Supreme Court), but before doing so wished to know whether the United States Department of Justice had considered fully the implications of such an innovation in extradition procedures. Having regard to the fact that it would seem to be politically impossible to provide an appeal for the state without similar provision for the accused, Mr. Garson was inclined to think that the delays in litigation caused by such appeals might make them unworkable.

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The Attorney General said that Mr. Timbers' proposal had not been examined fully by his Department and was not now being put forward as a suggestion to the Canadian Government. He personally was inclined to think that it would be a doubtful expedient; as Mr. Garson had observed, the delays involved would probably be intolerable.

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If, Mr. Brownell continued, the situation could be restored to the pre-Link and Green position by a reference to the Supreme Court of Canada, this would be preferable from the United States point of view, provided that the lapse of time before a judgement were obtained were not too great. United States authorities were already subject to very considerable pressures and these would build up seriously when Congress got under way in January. What length of time did the Minister foresee before the Canadian Government would be willing to refer the question to the Supreme Court?

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Mr. Garson replied that unfortunately it was not possible to be precise on the timing of a reference. If his colleagues agreed to a reference (and he was awaiting the return of the Secretary of State for External Affairs before taking the matter up in Cabinet) the timing would be affected by the course of the Coffin reference and hearing. The Canadian authorities were also anxious to clear up the present unsatisfactory situation with regard to extradition for security frauds, but had obviously to take account of the considerations which he had set forth.

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I suggested, in attempting to sum up, that the two Governments had the same objective, namely to establish as promptly as possible the régime contemplated when the Treaty was negotiated. The baleful effect of the Scott judgement should be got rid of as soon as could be. The problem was one of method and timing - not objective. To this all present agreed.

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The Canadian position, I continued, had been frankly explained to the Attorney General but he would be unable to make this explanation to those in Washington who were pressing him for action. It seemed to me important, before any statement were made by the United States authorities, that agreement should be reached on the form of such statement. To this, too, there was agreement.

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Mr. Brownell expressed his appreciation of the full and candid explanation which Mr. Garson had made and it was agreed that the Minister and the Attorney General would keep in close touch with one another, through me.

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It was agreed that, in the circumstances, no purpose would be served by further suggestions from Canadian Counsel for the United States Department of Justice or others, with regard to any references that might be made to the Supreme Court or other procedures in this matter.

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On the following day, returning to Washington, I mentioned to Mr. Brownell the importance, if any reference was to be made to the Supreme Court, of avoiding any impression that this procedure was being taken under pressure from United States authorities. He readily understood this and agreed to caution his officials. When the time came that something had to be said, the two Governments would agree on the form of statement.

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A.D.P. HEENEY

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Here is a note at the bottom of the Ambassador's letter. I find this troubling in a democratic society.

"The version of the memorandum reprinted here was amended in late November to take into account Garson's comments on Heeney's original draft which was removed from the files and destroyed."

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Just to make things clear, the name Garson refers to Canadian Minister Of Justice, The Honourable Stuart Sinclair Garson. I find it very troubling to see a federal Minister Of Justice having files removed and destroyed.

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As you read this, you can perhaps see how Canada had dug a hole for herself in her relations with the United States. This all stemmed from the court decision in Quebec Superior Court by Chief Justice Scott in his refusal to order extradition proceedings against Link and Green. Equally stupid though was the refusal of The Supreme Court of Canada to hear an appeal of the process. Throughout it all, Wilbert Coffin was being used as a pawn. He was the sacrificial lamb in all these proceedings.

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In their quest to crawl back into the fold with the United States, the federal cabinet in Ottawa pulled out all the stops. There was more butt kissing at the diplomatic level in Ottawa in the final three months of 1955 than there had been in the decade since the war concluded. It is prudent to show you an example of that fact before we move on. Here is an exerpt from a memo sent by The Honourable Lester Pearson to the American Ambassador, John Foster Dulles, at a joint meeting between the two countries. You will note that the minutes of this meeting are designated as "Secret."

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Summary Record of Meeting of Joint Canada-United States Committee

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SECRET

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Ottawa, September 26, 1955

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Mr. Pearson as Chairman expressed the sympathy of the Canadian side with President Eisenhower in his illness.127 It was to be hoped that he would soon be restored to his full health and vigour. Not only the Canadian members but all of Canada appreciated the President's attitude towards trade matters and the efforts which he was making to improve international relations generally. As the leader of the Allied Forces during the war and during the early period of NATO's history, President Eisenhower had come to belong to Canada and the other North Atlantic countries as well as to the United States.

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As you can see, The United States could do no wrong. You will note the highest praise extended to then President Eisenhower. One would think that he single handedly won the war, even though the war in Europe was practically concluded when the United States decided to enter it. Pearson obviously forgot about the thousands of Canadians who paid the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefields by his praise of the American president. The bottom line here is simply that the federal government was willing to go to the outer limits to make the United States happy during this period.

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Here are some exerpts from a letter written by Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Heeney. It is written to The Honourable Lester Pearson. If you really digest the contents of this letter, it says it all.

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Ambassador in United States to Secretary of State for External Affairs

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CONFIDENTIAL

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Dear Mr. Pearson,

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On November 9th I wrote you a personal letter? reporting upon the conversation in Toronto between your colleague, the Minister of Justice, and the United States Attorney General concerning extradition in relation to security frauds.

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In speaking to me yesterday, Mr. Garson said that he would expect you to bring up this subject in Cabinet shortly. When you did so he would be willing to agree to a reference to the Supreme Court of Canada which would rectify the present unsatisfactory situation. In this connection he mentioned again the desirability of having the question put to the Supreme Court in such a way as to avoid explicit reference to the judgement of Associate Chief Justice Scott, whence our difficulties arise. On the timing of the reference to the Court, Mr. Garson would be guided largely by the views of your Quebec colleagues, but he himself would have no objection to the reference being made reasonably soon.

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In raising the matter in Cabinet as one involving our relations with the United States, you would certainly be justified in saying to your colleagues that the present situation is one which has caused, and continues to cause, difficulties between us. Furthermore, the pressure upon the Administration to take action of some kind within the competence of the United States executive and legislature may be expected to increase sharply once Congress reassembles after Christmas.

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As you will note from my memorandum of November 8th, Mr. Brownell has agreed to consult us when he feels it necessary to make some public statement on this subject. I would hope that by that time we will be in a position to announce the reference to the Supreme Court along the lines now favoured by your colleague, the Minister of Justice.

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One final consideration - from the point of view of External Affairs, the sooner the reference is made and announced the better; from the point of view of the Government in Ottawa too I should think it is highly desirable that the reference should be made before the clamour in this country increases and the Government are put in the position of acting in response to public pressure from the United States.

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Yours sincerely,

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A.D.P. HEENEY

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.As the wheels turn, the federal government is becoming mired deeper and deeper. They are faced with straightening out some bad law from Quebec. If they don't fix the decision by Chief Justice Scott from the Quebec Superior Court, the Americans will be all over them for evermore. Canada could also become a haven for criminals from the American side of the border, as the court decision did not force them to be extradited. Maurice Duplessis will be furious.

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On the other hand the federal cabinet has been asked to review the Wilbert Coffin affair. The appeal had been rejected by the Supreme Court of Canada, so any meddling on this case would again upset Duplessis. The decision now necessary for cabinet to decide was, did they really want to review The Coffin affair and get the government of Duplessis mad again? Wilbert Coffin through his lawyers was asking for a full review and an order for a new trial, based on the fact that he did not receive a fair trial and process from the beginning.

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In a following memo to the Attorney General of the United States through Ambassador Heeney, Canadian Minister of Justice, the Honourable Stuart Garson would announce that a solution had been found that should bring the matter to conclusion. As a result, the decision by Chief Justice Scott would be reversed. As well, the federal government would be free and clear of a ruling on the Regina Vs Coffin affair. Ottawa would come out not looking like they had bent to pressure from the American administration. The following extract designated "Top Secret" are from cabinet conclusions pertaining to the decision affecting the Coffin affair.

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Extract from Cabinet Conclusions

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"Top Secret"

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Circumstances had made it appear desirable to make a rather unusual reference to the Supreme Court in the recent Coffin murder case.135r It would seem undesirable to take unorthodox action with regard to this extradition difficulty so soon after the Coffin incident. It might, perhaps, be preferable to wait until such time as another judgment similar to the Scott judgment of December 17th, 1954, was rendered before taking any such action

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On the other hand, unless some action were taken, the government of Canada would likely be blamed for doing nothing to prevent the fraudulent use of the mails by unscrupulous brokers

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The Cabinet noted the report of the Minister of Justice and deferred decision on a proposed reference to the Supreme Court with regard to difficulties which had recently been encountered in the administration of the Extradition Treaty between Canada and the United States, pending further consideration at a subsequent meeting when the Secretary of State for External Affairs could be present

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On October 14, 1955 Cabinet asked the Supreme Court of Canada to review the conviction in Quebec courts of Wilbert Coffin for the 1953 murder of Richard Lindsay after suggestions were made that Coffin had not received a fair trial. Cabinet asked the court to answer the following question: "If the application made by Wilbert Coffin for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada had been granted on any of the grounds alleged on the said application, what disposition of the appeal would now be made by the court?"

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It is the last paragraph above that tossed Wilbert Coffin into the wind. His lawyers had asked the federal cabinet to review the case. This would have taken it from day one. It would have reviewed the inquest jury process, it would have reviewed the jury selection process, it would have reviewed suppressed evidence, and it would have reviewed the judges charge to the jury. None of this was ever done of course. The cabinet simply sent the case back to the Supreme Court with the above question. In reality the cabinet knew what the decision of the Supreme Court would be. They were the ones who had made the decision in the first place. In a round about way the government was asking the Supreme Court to re-rule and make a decision on their original ruling. One does not have to be smart to figure that a Supreme Court of Canada Justice is not about to rule against his own ruling.

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Unfortunately the government of Canada was willing to throw out and sacrifice one man's last chance for justice in this country. It could have easily been avoided. It required nothing more than an order in council to further delay the hanging of Wilbert Coffin until such time that a full and proper conclusion be reached with respect to the capital punishment being carried out.

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Fifty-one years later the federal government is once again being asked to investigate this case as a miscarriage of justice. It is a miscarriage of justice because the government allowed it to be that way.

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I am firmly of the opinion that a complete review of this case should take place. Simply asking that a review be done based on the same criteria that was done over fifty years ago is not enough. A complete review must include the admission of new evidence, meaning both evidence that was suppressed and omitted, and evidence that has surfaced since the original proceeding. There are witnesses still alive who gave statements prior to the original trial. It is imperative that these people be heard because it was their intention to give evidence. There was evidence concerning Jeeps and vehicles that was never brought forward. Again, this evidence must be presented, because originally it was intended to be part of the process.

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It is important to note that I have raised very serious concerns with reference to autopsy reports on the crime victims. A murder weapon was never found, no spent cartridges cases or bullets, no broken bones and yet the victims were declared to have died of gunshot wounds. Perforations in clothing clearly indicate they are much too large for any calibre of bullet available. There were marks on one bone, and the medical examiner stated in court the marks could have been made by a forest animal.

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In order that a full and impartial review be made of this case, it is necessary that all these things must be looked at and considered. Several of these elements made up the scope of what the federal government was being asked to do in 1955. Sadly, they chose to not do that. If they had done what was asked of them, Wilbert Coffin would not have hanged on February 10, 1956. By displaying themselves as a spineless bunch of creatures, they were able to uphold themselves as weak and inept and afraid of Duplessis, and at the same time, display their loyalty to the United States Of America as puppets on a string.

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Lew Stoddard

Posted to site February 28, 2007

A TIME TO SAY THANK YOU

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I believe there comes a time in everyone's life that we look beyond our own everyday normal activities and ponder as to whether there is something that we could do that would make a difference, not only in our own way of thinking, but perhaps assist someone else in the process.

I reached that crossroad some years back. As I have mentioned in the past, the Wilbert Coffin saga always held troubling moments for me. There were so many conflicting theories, so much rumour, so much idle gossip. I decided long ago that one day I was going to do what I could to help set the record straight. In April of 2006, I turned onto the crossroad. I am glad that I did.

Over the years, the same stories seemed to exist. They got bolder and bolder, comparing favourably to feeding time in shark infested waters. I was no longer interested in what those who had come before me had to say about the Wilbert Coffin case. I wanted to do a completely independent, step by step analysis based on my own work. This would be the only way that I could satisfy myself as to whether the course of true justice had been thwarted.

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From the onset, it would be difficult. I knew that. Much water had gone under the bridge. Many folks were no longer with us, and those that were had to be found. My website would play an important role, and as a result, miracles began happening. Folks began reaching out to my requests for help and assistance. I was impressed, though not totally convinced that enough would come forward, however, I was determined.

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Finally, this is the moment that I have been waiting for. This is the time to acknowledge and convey a special word of thanks to all those who so freely gave of their time and energies to come forth with information and assistance. It was through many folks working together as a team that made my report possible. One interesting aspect of it all, is simply the fact that even though all you folks did not personally know each other, your contributions created a true untold version of this affair. That is precisely what I was striving for.

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Before I list the names of those involved, there is one light that shone above all the rest. You have witnessed me speaking of her on many occasions. She lived her younger years in Gaspe' with her family who endured personal suffering through accusations and verbal abuse as a result of this whole affair. Now living on the opposite side of the continent and many decades later, she sought me out through my website and indicated that if I was interested she was willing to come onboard. This lady's name is Lani Mitchell (Baker).

Lani, being bilingual was an absolute storehouse of knowledge. She has many connections. She has much respect. Things started to happen immediately. Between she and I we had people coming forward. We had people whom we had been told were deceased in the beginning suddenly being resurrected, and anxious to help us out. Suddenly, we were both of the opinion that when all was said and done, our report would stand out in the credibility department chiefly because I would not re-write what others had said before. Lani fully agreed with that.

Before we concluded the story a few weeks back, I took the time to peruse what we had accomplished. I noted that Lani had translated hundreds of pages of documents that we had received from various sources. Many of these documents were in French so it was necessary to make them workable. She worked tirelessly day in and day out. Occasionally there would be someone who spoke only French that needed to be interviewed for the story. Again, because of her language capabilities, Lani bailed me out. In addition, Lani put all of our collected information on disks. There was no way that a technology melt down was going to erase our efforts.

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Lani and her husband Gus took a trip in late October to Australia for a holiday. Every second day of the holiday, Lani found a way to e-mail me from an internet cafe and also read the latest posting and comments. Again I reiterate, if you liked my story over the past few months, it simply would not have been possible without Lani.

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To give you some idea of the amount of papers that we sorted and studied, compare what would fit into a big old steamer trunk in total, and then after studying and perusing it all, ending up with just enough to fill a shoe box. That gives you some insight into the amount of plain junk that has floated around for over fifty years in this case. Sad, but true.

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The following are the folks that made my story possible. If I have missed anyone, please accept my apologies. In addition to those listed below, there are some folks who wished to remain anonymous. I respect your wishes, but at the same time, I want to ensure that I convey my thanks to you.

.Len Arsenault
.Keith Baker
.Bobbi Baker
.Jill Baker
.Marni Baker
.Gabriel Bernard
.Betty LeBoutieller
.Charlie LeBoutellier
.Canada Customs and Immigration
.Martha Costello
.Gary Coffin
.Ivan Coffin
.Jim Coffin
.Harry Cottle
.Sandra Doucette
.Henriette Doyon
.Gaspe Museum
.GoGaspe % Andy Patterson
.Dale Hayton
.Jacques Hébert
.Dave Mathieson
.Barb Miller
.Donald Miller
.Lani Mitchell
.Gus Mitchell
.Mario Mimeault
.Ministry of External Affairs
.Frank Moore
.National Archives Canada
.New Brunswick Ministry of Resources
.Rhonda Patterson
.Diane Peter
.Miriam Preteau
.Alton Price
.RCMP
.Judy Reeder
.Debbie Sams
.Peter Sams
.Penny Shanahan
.Fabien Sinnett
.Wendall Stanley
.T. Connors Drilling
.Mimi Wilson
.Rick Willett
.Elsie Willett
.Marie Coffin (Stewart)
.Debbie Ferragamo

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.Just a reminder to everyone. Coming up in two days is what I consider to be the most important posting of all to this story. This posting is the one that I have been constantly telling you about for the past few weeks. I am proud to be able to finally present it.

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This will not be a posting that you can merely skim over. It requires your attention to detail, and may require reading it a couple of times in order that the full story emerges for you. This posting will show you exactly how the execution of Wilbert Coffin came about, why it was allowed to proceed in the final days, and who was responsible to make the decisions. The posting will name names. The posting will also showcase deceit, manipulation, and some other elements such as destruction of documents, that I personally do not think have a place in a truly democratic government. It was a tangled web that involved many threads.

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Again, I invite you to read the final element to the story. This is what I have worked long and hard for. This is the stuff that I have been working on behind the scenes while writing the story of Wilbert Coffin going through the legal process. There will no doubt be some of you who will be upset with me. That is alright as well, as everything that I shall be telling you can be backed up with a document. Some of the players in this posting have since departed, however, I wish to expose the various elements and let you know that even though this may have happened over fifty years ago, it has not gone away.

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Sometime back I offered this story to The Spec Newspaper on the Gaspe' coast. The editor, on two separate occasions was going to get back to me. He never did. I contacted CTV news. I have an e-mail telling me that time constraints prevented them from covering new material on the case. As citizens, you have a right to know. The news media is responsible to provide. To accept less, you are selling youself short. This story had it's roots on the Gaspe' coast, and yet for some reason, I am not aware of a single reference to my own work on the case in The Spec newspaper.

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Thanks very much Canada, and wherever else from around the world that you have read my story. I sincerely hope that I have been able to assist anyone who has an interest in this event. You have been a teriffic audience. God Bless all of you.

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Lew Stoddard

Posted to site February 24, 2007

THE LAST MILE OF THE WAY

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It has been a long winding road, the story of the Wilbert Coffin affair. Today's posting brings to conclusion another of several accounts of this unforgetable page in the history of Canada. Normally, what I am saying here would be at the end of a story, however, as you will see when you read on today, the story will end quite abruptly, and thus it is more prudent to tell you here.
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In a couple of days I shall be posting the names of dozens of folks who assisted me in many ways to compile this story. It would have been impossible to do without their help, and I want to ensure that they are thanked and acknowledged in a big way. Due to the length of today's posting, it is impossible to name them all and their contributions in this segment of the story. Near the end of the story today, you will see some exerpts from a particular song that I thought appropriate for the occasion. The song, Green Green Grass Of Home was written in 1965 by Claude Putman Jr. and has been recorded by over 600 artists world wide. In addition, a photograph, courtesy of Wendall Stanley, depicts the burial site of Wilbert Coffin in the Gaspe' cemetery.

I wrote this story, not in any way for monetary gain, nor do I have aspirations of writing a book. I wrote it because it has haunted me since my boyhood days growing up in rural New Brunswick. There were always question marks. There were always conflicting accounts. I decided many years ago to do what I could to determine for myself. I am glad that I did. If I was skeptical of Wilbert Coffin's guilt at the onset, I can tell you now, that I am absolutely certain of his innocence. That is the result of ten long months of digging and seeking. As Francois Gravel said in his memo, the file must never close, because one day the name of Wilbert Coffin will be cleared.
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As the year 1955 progressed Wilbert Coffin's hopes remained high that a miracle would happen. Each and everyone of his applications for appeal had been turned down by the higher court. One can assume that his lawyers , Francois Gravel and Arthur Maloney, would naturally be getting nervous at the prospects of what may lie ahead. There was no time to spare, the clock was ticking, and with each day, the ever looming thoughts of Wilbert's execution would be forever etched in their minds.
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Lawyers Gravel and Maloney had come to the conclusion that much had been omitted from Wilbert's trial in the form of evidence. This was crucial. Without this evidence forming part of the process, each visit to the higher court was always the same. The appeal could only be based on mistakes made in the lower court, or in the trial judge's charge to the jury. In the absense of this, the higher court took no stand, and thus upheld the lower court's decision. Clearly, there would be but one chance for their client. An application must be made to the federal cabinet of Canada to take a stand, and the application must be made without delay, as governments are not known for expediency when it comes to making decisions.
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In the meantime Wilbert would spend his days reading and playing cards, and whenever possible, enjoy a visit by Marion. This gave Wilbert an opportunity to enquire about his son, James. Throughout the process, one thing is clear, James was definitely the apple of his father's eye. Those thoughts were echoed all the way from his months at Quebec jail.
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As mentioned in my last posting, Roger Duguay, was the guard who was selected to be the personal guard and escort for Wilbert Coffin during his days on death row at the prison. Some time later Mr. Duguay would chronicle his days at Bordeaux Jail in a book that he authored. His book, "L'échafaud : J'ai vu les dernières pendaisons à la prison de Bordeaux," translated "The Gallows: I saw The last hangings at Bordeaux Prison" was published in 1979 outlined the day to day activity behind the scenes at Bordeaux Jail for those on death row. As usual, I beg your forgiveness for errors in translation, because as we all know, translation is not an exact science. In his book, Mr. Duguay makes some interesting comments with reference to Wilbert Coffin during his last days. In the next few paragraphs I wish to share with you some of those reflections, and as well, provide to you some of the comments from Wilbert Coffin as quoted by Mr. Duguay.
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Mr. Duguay begins by explaining his role from the beginning with Wilbert Coffin. Here is that beginning as quoted from Mr. Duguay's book.
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"It is the morning. The service guard opens the door for us, verifying our numbers, the identity of Coffin, and we are beckoned to go through the first door. Then we head towards the "office" as one called it at the time, to satisfy all the administrative requirements, papers to sign, etc.
Coffin submits to all the necessary formalities without showing any sign of impatience. Once this was carried out, we approach another door that gives access to the main entrance to the prison.
A guard invites us to enter a small space where Coffin takes off his civil clothes: after a very severe body search, he puts on the prison clothes.
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Then, once the administration questions end, I take Coffin to the Death row cells. He disappears behind the massive cell door. The sergeant detective and the guard leave and I stay there alone, the guard having locked the door behind him. I will spend the first night without history (until nine o’clock in the morning) and another guard takes over."
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And so it begins, death row prisoner and his guard. Where you would see one, you would see the other. I do not agree with some of the perceptions of the guard. Here is an example and I quote from Mr. Duguay, "That I give in this account such importance to the Gaspésian prospector shouldn’t be surprising. In his life, and before his execution, Coffin accused of having murdered three American hunters, had largely handcuffed himself, more so because of his decision not to defend himself, causing a hasty court to put a noose around his neck." I have to be fair here. Wilbert Coffin was not accused of having killed three American hunters. He was accused, charged, and found guilty of killing one. As well, one must consider the fact that Wilbert Coffin never chose not to defend himself. He put his trust in the hands of an incompetent lawyer who chose to not defend him properly. That was why he was in the predicament that he was. The fact that Wilbert Coffin swore a forty-nine point deposition clearly stated his intentions.
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It is easy to comprehend from Mr. Duguay's statements that Wilbert Coffin did not want to die in Bordeaux jail. He maintained his innocence from day one. A question that was often asked of the guard was "How much time do I have left Roger?" As the number of days left got less and less, the intensity of his anguish became more and more apparent. On numerous occasions Wilbert was overwhelmed with grief speaking of his son and wife, wondering if they would be alright, where they would end up, but mostly agonizing over the fact that he would not be able to see his son attain manhood.
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Here is another quote from Mr. Duguay,"I never forced his confidences; neither invited him to share with me. But when he had those long silences, his tortured face filled with anguish, it was hard for me not to feel a little compassion for him. He would often repeat himself on certain subjects, like an actor repeating your own lines." Wilbert Coffin went on to say, "If Duplessis permits me to marry my mistress and gives a name to my child, I will be able to go in peace. I told all the truth on the subject of the three Americans." Again, this is a clear example of Wilbert Coffin maintaining his innocence to the very end.
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When in situations such as Wilbert Coffin was locked into, it is not uncommon for questions to be asked in an erratic manner. Here is an example from a bit of dialogue between Mr. Duguay and Wilbert.
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Roger, I know I’m going to die. I still can’t believe it! It seems like I’m going to wake up from a bad dream.
You are at Bordeaux and you are awake.
He was silent for a good while which I respected.
Do you think I still have a chance?
I don’t know, Wilbert.
Your friends, what do they think?
I tried to explain to him that my role consisted of guarding him, and should the occasion arise, to transmit his questions to the penitentiary authorities. My friends weren’t aware of their dealings.
He insisted, clinging,
Do you have news of my case?
None shares their confidences with me, I said, not wanting to further his agitation.
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This is possibly the most touching part of this chapter. This is also from Mr. Duguay's book. It is the section detailing Marion Petrie's last visit with Wilbert Coffin.
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A short time before the execution, his wife came to see him. She was a young woman with a certain charm, but the sorrow of losing the man she loved aged her. She had drawn features and a tired step, and didn’t hide her grief.
During her last visit, I had to watch over their movements, restricting their contact to minimal intimacy. In the circumstances, knowing this would be the last goodbye between Coffin and his wife, I would have liked to be one hundred miles from there.
She looked at me with begging eyes.
May I?
Yes, you can speak with him.
She wanted to be alone with him but didn’t dare to ask me. It must happen under my eyes, I said.
We can’t be alone for a minute?
No Madam, I’m sorry..It’s the rules.
I silently cursed the rules because I felt I was violating their last moments. I was assisting, without saying a word, in a heart-wrenching scene.
You are okay?
I’m okay.
It’s good today. The weather’s good, she replied, shy in my presence.
Did you have a good trip? Asked coffin.
Yes, it was long..But that didn’t hurt me.
She looked furtively in my direction and connected.
And the deferment is it possible? Will you have it? Coffin stayed quiet?
I don’t know more, he finished by saying impatiently.
If you don’t get it, they’ll hang you?
Tell me, Wilbert, they’ll hang you?
Her voice was breaking but she didn’t raise her tone.
I’m waiting for other news..You mustn’t despair.
But time's passing. It’s absolutely necessary that they come up with something, Wilbert! Time’s passing! At home we’re desperate. Are you confident?
Where there’s life, there’s hope, he said, falsely enthusiastic, knowing full well that there was little chance that a miracle would come.
They talked about one thing and another, their parents, their friends who were worried.
News arrived one drop at a time and they were a little encouraged.
Bah! Don’t believe all that you hear on the radio and read in the news, said Coffin, discouraged. Isn’t that right, Roger?
I nodded, badly at ease sharing their confidences.
_ Are you bored with me, Coffin teased.
She didn’t respond, but looked intensely at him. An iron door was between them and they could only exchange passionate looks.
She spoke to him of their son.
He’s growing, and he’s handsome like you.
Is he a handful?
A real devil, she said. He misses you, you know.
Coffin had tears in his eyes, most of all when she showed him, with my permission, a picture of their son.
He looks full of life.
Yes, he’s a tough guy.
It’s true, he looks like me, said Coffin.
They discussed their child, without ?????She could have said the she would be a widow soon, but she kept that to herself, content to describe the games of their child who so much wanted to see his father come home.
He isn’t sick?
No, he’s healthy. He had a little cold but that passed quickly.
He’s well equipped.
He gave her various comments, then turned to me to ask.
How much time is left?
Still a little, Wilbert-still a few more minutes.
The time flew by, too fast, and I looked at my watch hoping the hands had stopped.
She looked at me with teary eyes.
Can I hug him?
This isn’t against the rules, but there is one condition. It didn’t make me proud to have to use it at a time like this, but I couldn’t escape my duty.
You must open your mouth.
Open my mouth? she said, astonished.
Yes, I must inspect it.
She didn’t understand.
You could be hiding a pill. It’s the rules.
She submitted to this search, but it was clear she hadn’t come to Bordeaux to poison the man she loved..That she would never see again.
This procedure over, she embraced Coffin without delay, giving him in this brief physical contact, all of her tenderness.
It’s finished, I said.
She left, turning to wave at him, murmuring some words I didn’t understand, and disappeared, her walk heavy, her shoulders sagging. She had understood that there was no hope. Coffin stayed there a long time, upright, in his cell, like he was suddenly mummified.
I’ll never see her again…it’s over, he said to me later. I’ll never see her again..It’s over.
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Sometime during the final week Wilbert Coffin would make a declaration to Francois Gravel. Although much of lawyer Gravel's notes are sealed, he made some points public on behalf of Wilbert. He states Wilbert's insistence that he was innocent of the crime, and that Wilbert insisted that he continue the fight to clear his name. Wilbert would also request that lawyer Gravel keep a watch over his wife and son James. Mr. Gravel went on to state that someday his name would be cleared.
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The date was now February 08, 1956. Lawyer Francois Gravel had been in Montreal for a number of days awaiting the results of the application to the federal cabinet for a review and intervention in the case. He would visit Wilbert and explain that they would know the results the next morning. Outside the confines of the prison, Wilbert's Mom, Jessie would arrive in Montreal, joining son Donnie, and Marion. They were praying for a miracle.
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On the morning of February 09, 1956, lawyer Gravel learned very early that the miracle was not going to happen. The federal cabinet returned the case to the Supreme Court with a question. That question was to the effect, had anything changed that would cause another decision in the case if they were to hear the case compared to previously? Their answer was no. The federal cabinet had made no decision on the case at all, and did not examine the evidence. There was now no escape for Wilbert Coffin. To satisfy justice, he must hang by the neck until he was dead. Lawyer Francois Gravel inherited the task to inform Wilbert Coffin and his family.
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Lawyer Gravel arrived at the jail and broke the news to Wilbert Coffin. Wilbert's reply was, why is it necessary that he had to die if he was not guilty? Mr. Gravel stated that the execution would take place just moments after midnight. They would set about doing last minute details to settle Wilbert's affairs. Wilbert requested that he be able to write his last will and testament to which Mr. Gravel complied. Here is a copy of that last will and testament as taken by Mr. Gravel.
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Montreal, February 9th, 1956.

This is the last will and testament of Wilbert Coffin:
I hereby wish to make at this time my last will and testament. I pray to God to take care of my soul and take me into heaven.
All my love to my father, my mother, my brother and sisters from the
bottom of my heart, and hope that God will take care of them all of their lives.
All my love to my wife Marion from the bottom of my heart, and I am very sorry that due to a government order I could not get married to her.
All my love to my son, more than to myself, and wish him best luck in this world.
I would like that the public know that since my arrest I was not fairly treated.
It is my express and firm wish and desire that a statement which I made to my attorneys, Arthur E.M. Maloney of Toronto, and François de B. Gravel of Quebec city, when visiting me last October at the Bordeaux jail be divulged to the public.
I greatly thank all those who worked in my defense.
I wish to ask public to know that when an accused has evidence to prove his innocence, why should he die.
I have entirely perused the new evidence which corroborates my own
version of my case contained in the above statement,
I am innocent of the deaths of the three American hunters and know nothing of them.
I would like to say to the families of the deceased that I had nothing to do with this affair and I do sympathize with them.
I would like to express my most sincere thanks to my counsel, Francois
Gravel and Arthur Maloney, Q.C., for all the work they have given to my
case. I am very sorry to say that it is hard for me to express all my gratitude.
Again, my thanks to all the prison guards, who looked after me, mainly the governor, Létourneau of the Quebec jail, who was a great comfort to me.
I do hope that my son will have a happy and successful life and help me God.
I bequeath everything I have or may have to my dear son James.
AND I SIGNED
(s) Wilbert Coffin.
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Wilbert Coffin made a special request that he be allowed to speak with former Sergeant Henri Doyon, his personal friend from Gaspe' who had been with the Quebec Provincial Police. This request was denied as was his final request to Maurice Duplessis that he and Marion Petrie be allowed to marry.
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Wilbert would spend a lot of the afternoon of this day with The Reverend Sam Pollard. It would be Reverend Pollard who would walk to the gallows with Wilbert. Again, throughout this day Wilbert Coffin would maintain his innocence of the crime for which he was convicted. Wilbert would also find forgiveness for those who held him captive including the police. Wilbert is known to have made the statement that it may be possible to take many things away from him, but the one thing that couldn't be removed was his smile.
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Though visibly shaken by the chain of events, Wilbert walked to the gallows reciting a prayer with Reverned Pollard. It is said that Wilbert's final words were, "I Commend My Soul Unto Thee." At a couple of minutes past midnight, in the wee hours of February 10, 1956, the life of Wilbert Coffin was no more.
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I have to say this was a tough story to write. Though I did not personally know any of the players in the story, it was most difficult to put together, chiefly because in a story such as this , I found it to be impossible to remain an arms length away without getting personally consumed. I simply cannot begin to think of the horrors involved if a family member was caught in a similar circumstance, and to be completely powerless to change things. I have come to this conclusion from extensive interviews with various family members in this case.
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As I mentioned in the last posting, there was an element that I knew little about. That was until such time as Mrs. Elsie Willett from a small northern Ontario town contacted me. Wilbert Coffin was Elsie's brother, and it was Elsie, who was one of three who accompanied Wilbert Coffin's body back home to Gaspe' after his execution. The following is Elsie's contribution to the story.
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When it became apparent that the execution would take place, Elsie knew her place to be was in Montreal. It is winter and Elsie is faced with a journey that she had hoped she would never have to make. From Timmins, Elsie had a problem securing a seat on the plane, and no one was willing to give up their seat, forcing Elsie to take a later flight via Toronto. Elsie would arrive that night in Montreal at approximately eleven o'clock, roughly one hour prior to the scheduled execution.
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In Montreal Elsie joined with her mother, Jessie, and Marion Petrie. The three of them would travel with Wilbert's body on the CN train to Gaspe'. Elsie's brother Donnie was in Montreal, although due to finances, he would be unable to make the trip to Gaspe'. He had however, made the necessary arrangements with a local funeral home to take care of final details for his brother.
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Elsie informed me that the funeral home had gone to great lengths to ensure dignity and respect for her family. There were hordes of news people who had descended upon Montreal for the occasion. The funeral home had made secret arrangements with respect to removing Wilbert's body from the prison grounds. This was done in an effort to distract the scores of reporters and photographers. The hearse arrived, and shortly after left with the reporters and photographers in tow. A short time later, a second funeral vehicle left the prison grounds. This vehicle contained Wilbert's body. The funeral home had stationed the second vehicle as a means of securing privacy for the family.
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At approximately seven o'clock in the evening Wilbert's body was placed on the CN train bound for Gaspe'. The train staff had secured a car with sleepers for the three ladies and made it out of bounds for the travelling media onboard. They were provided meals, sleeping quarters, and other comforts compliments of the train staff. Elsie informed me that for the duration of the journey, it was not uncommon to see people lined up along the tracks to pay their respects to Wilbert.
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Arriving in Matapedia the following day, a change of train was necessary for furtherance to the Gaspe' coast. Again, as in the first leg of the journey, people were lining up to catch a glimpse of the train. As the train pulled into Gaspe' town, Elsie told me that never could she be prepared for what was awaiting their arrival. It was estimated that in excess of five hundred people were waiting at the platform to pay their respects.
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.Then I awake and look around me
.At four grey walls that surround me
.And I realize that I was only dreaming
.For there's a guard, and there's a sad old padre
.Arm in arm we'll walk at daybreak
..Again I'll touchThe green, green grass of home.
.Yes, they'll all come to see me.

.In the the shade of that old oak tree
.As they lay me'neath the green, green grass of home.

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Lew Stoddard
Posted to site February 16, 2007

FINAL JOURNEY TO THE GALLOWS

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Upon transfer to Bordeaux Jail at Montreal, Wilbert Coffin would feel a tightening of security with respect to his incarceration. True, he soon won the respect of staff, however, security was much more regimented than in Quebec with jailer Letourneau and staff. One thing that did quickly become obvious was the fact that many of the staff at Bourdeaux, like Quebec, did not believe him to be guilty. As Montreal had been the place selected for Wilbert's execution, he would remain here until his execution date.
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To make matters worse for Wilbert Coffin, the attorney general of Quebec, none other than Maurice Duplessis, curtailed the visits of Marion Petrie, his wife. At the Quebec jail, there was a much more open policy with respect to her visits. It had now reached the point where she and Wilbert were being denied access to each other.
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In 1955 Marion would write to then Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Louis St. Laurent to intervene and free up the visitation process. The very next day, the prime minister through his secretary James Cross, responded by letter informing Marion that Bordeaux Jail was not a federal institution and thus, he had no jurisdiction to get involved. He went on to explain that she should continue her requests through the Quebec attorney general, who of course, just happened to be premier Maurice Duplessis. That was truly a brilliant suggestion, considering that was the reason why she was asking his support in the first place. It was evident Maurice Duplessis was not going to bend an inch to loosen his grip on Wilbert Coffin.
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Duplessis was steadfast in his assertion that Wilbert Coffin and Marion Petrie were not man and wife, and he would use this as a lever to deny any privileges that would normally be accorded to such a couple. At the original trial at Perce, Marion Petrie was summonsed as a hostile witness for the crown. The crown was able to pull this off chiefly because the defense had made no application to the Supreme Court prior to trial to quash this plan. Duplessis was able to carry on, basing his decisions on the earlier ruling by the trial judge that Marion Petrie was not considered a spouse by law.
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The next paragraph in this story is very important. As a matter of fact, the results of the findings in this paragraph could have been a determining factor in the outcome of an appeal of Wilbert Coffin's conviction, if the appeal had been so granted. Most folks will not be aware of the existence of this event. Sadly this event showcases the possible abandonment of lead lawyer Arthur Maloney of his client, Wilbert Coffin. I am able to present this to you as a result of exhaustive research of Supreme Court decisions that I conducted some months back.
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It would appear that lawyer Arthur Maloney made an application before the Supreme Court to have the lower court ruling declaring Marion Petrie a hostile witness, to be set aside. This would render her earlier testimony null and void. It would also prevent Marion Petrie being treated as a hostile witness in any new appeal process and being forced to testify against Wilbert Coffin. This is the point where the application to the Supreme Court ceases to make a lot of sense. I ask you to examine the below posted copy of the Supreme Court decision.
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198 EX PARTE COTE (489)
. . . Marion Petrie Coffin was not the wife of the appellant and accordingly she does not come within the exception.
Rinfret, J., at p. 369 cites Corpus Juris:
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"To constitute a marriage valid at common law, that is, in the absence of a statute otherwise specifically providing, it is not necessary that it should be solemnized in any particular form or with any particular rite or ceremony. All that is required is that there should be an actual and mutual agreement to enter into a matrimonial relation, permanent and exclusive of all others, between parties capable in law of making such a contract, consummated by their cohabitation as man and wife or other mutual assumption openly of marital duties and obligations."
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"In accordance with the rule obtaining in respect of marriages generally, the consent of the parties is essential to the consitution of the common law marriage. The absence of such consent renders the relations of the parties meretricious."
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"Mutuality. The consent of the parties to the common law mar- riage must be mutual".
He goes on to say that there was no evidence that Marion Petrie Coffin and Coffin had agreed to enter into a permanent arrangement to the exclusion of all others and therefore mutu- ality of consent was not established.
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In a reference to the Supreme Court of Canada in the Coffin case, 114 C.C.C. 1, [1956] S.C.R. 191, 23 C.R. 1, the question of whether Marion Petrie was a witness competent to testify against the accused was abandoned. See Taschereau, J., at p. 12. Cartwright, J., at p. 52 said "Before us, Mr. Maloney did not argue ground (a), on which the authorities seem to be conclusive."
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As you will note, Mr. Maloney made the application to the Supreme Court. For whatever reason he chose to present no argument, and thus, the application carried no weight. This would be viewed as a gift from above to Duplessis. In no way would he grant permission for Wilbert and Marion to marry right down to the last day, simply because if he did, and the federal cabinet decided to order a new trial at the eleventh hour, the crown would be unable to use Marion Petrie as a hostile witness. Without doubt, the walls were closing in very quickly on Wilbert.
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During the capital punishment regime across Canada, certain rules were in force which separated those prisoners facing the gallows and those who were not. Wilbert Coffin, as a condemned man fell into the classification of a prisoner facing the gallows. Approximately sixty days before an execution was scheduled to take place, the prisoner was taken from his place in the general population of the prison, and moved to an area of the prison known as death row. In this area of the facility, the prisoner would be held in a cell very close to the execution chamber, and would be aware on a daily basis of the plans being formulated for the execution.
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In many facilities across Canada, a new gallows was built each time a prisoner was to be executed. In larger centres such as Bordeaux jail, the gallows remained as a permanent facility, and would be tested on the day of a scheduled execution. In the days leading to the execution, certain rules were put into place that would allow the condemned prisoner to take care of personal business affecting the family and the last minute wishes. The jailer, in concert with the attorney general, was usually responsible for these affairs. In the case of Wilbert Coffin, anything that deviated from the norm would have to come directly from the attorney general, Maurice Duplessis himself.
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For the final month of the condemned prisoner's life, a special guard was assigned to the prisoner. This guard would look after requests, escort the prisoner to appointments within the confines, and as well, supervise visits from family etc. For the most part, this was not an easy task for the guard. It was difficult to do this job and remain an arms length away from the prisoner. Think about it. The prisoner was there and about to meet his destiny. This guard and the prisoner had to share a mutual respect. It was difficult to carry on one's duties of guarding the prisoner without getting involved in their daily lives. Such was the case of Robert Duguay.
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In doing research for the Wilbert Coffin story, Lani Mitchell and myself wanted to find out as much as we could about Wilbert Coffin's last days on earth. We wanted to know who he talked to, what he did to pass the time, who he wrote to, and most of all, discover who Wilbert Coffin really was, beyond what we already knew.
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We searched here, we searched there, we talked to this person, and we talked to that person. We still did not have what we were looking for. We simply had to find more, and were determined to do so. Very simply, there did not appear to be very much available to us. As you have seen me write it numerous times, "Don't accept anything in life at face value, Ask questions."
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Finally, a very much respected local historian came forward to us. He had at his disposal a lot of information detailing Wilbert Coffin's final weeks on earth. This information was put together by the man assigned to look after him. As I mentioned to you a short way back, it was standard procedure to assign a personal guard to each prisoner on death row. Wilbert Coffin had such a guard assigned to him for his final days. The guard was a thirty plus year veteran of the police. His name was Robert Duguay.
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As this information was made available to us very recently, it was a factor in the decision to extend the story for one extra posting. Combined with what we had already, it certainly adds a whole new dimension, and puts a very personal touch on the complete affair. There is as well another factor that influenced the decision to lengthen the story. As I have said many times, this has been a story of many twists and turns.
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As I was finalizing the story last week, I received an e-mail from Rick Willett who lives in a small northern Ontario town. Rick is a valued contributor to the comments section of my web site. Rick informed me in the e-mail that his Mom would like to talk to me, and if I would be so inclined, could we set up an appointment. Readily, I agreed, and I had the opportunity to speak at length with his Mom, Elsie Willett, a few days later. This is where it gets interesting.
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We knew of course that Wilbert Coffin had been executed at Montreal, and his body had been returned to Gaspe' for burial. Accompanying Wilbert's body to Gaspe', we knew his Mom Jesse, and his wife Marion had taken part. These two people are now deceased. The third member of that group was none other than Elsie Willett. You see, Wilbert Coffin was Elsie Willett's brother. As well, in the next and final posting, I shall be conveying to you the journey back to Gaspe', back to where it all began. This part of the story is made possible through the efforts of Elsie. I thank her so much for coming forward, and just at the proper time for inclusion into the story.
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Lew Stoddard

Posted to site February 13, 2007

Wilbert Coffin's Final Journey

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Upon the trial jury rendering their verdict of guilt on the part of the defendant, Wilbert Coffin, Judge LaCroix imposed the standard prescribed punishment. Wilbert Coffin was sentenced to hang by the neck until he was dead. The date was August 10, 1954, exactly one year to the day since he had first been arrested. Wilbert Coffin's family were devastated, and so it began, an eighteen month walk to the gallows.
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At this point, though naturally upset and in much turmoil, Wilbert still managed to exhibit that ever present smile to his wife Marion and his Mom and Dad. Wilbert Coffin was still confident that the same system of justice that had found him guilty would eventually find him innocent and free him from this tangled web. Little did he know, this tangled web would never release it's ugly grip.
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Wilbert Coffin's first date with the executioner was set for November 26, 1954. This would provide time for the standard thirty day limit on an appeal application to be considered. This was also the time period that Raymond Maher would announce that he would no longer be representing Wilbert Coffin. Down deep Maher knew that the Coffin family would no longer wish his services. After such a fall from grace , his old family buddy, Maurice Duplessis also knew that Maher would never be able to practise law again, with his bumbling of this case, his drinking problems, and most importantly, the likelihood that he stole what could have been an evidence exibit from Wilbert Coffin's trial and had it destroyed. True to form, Duplessis to the rescue. What does he do? He appoints Raymond Maher to the Rental Review Board for the province of Quebec.
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Lawyer Francois Gravel would remain as Wilbert Coffin's defense lawyer. As well, he brought on board his boss from Toronto, Mr. Arthur Maloney. This duo would serve as Wilbert's counsel for the remainder of his life. It was this pair of lawyers who would prepare and present an application for appeal for Wilbert's coviction for murder.
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This application would of course fail, and in the final days leading to his execution date, a new application was introduced, which would result in the execution date being moved back to accommodate the new appeal process. The applications were being applied for on the basis of errors being made in the original process, and the introduction of new evidence, as well as evidence that had been suppressed. It is important to note that an appeal can only be granted where it can be demonstrated that an error of law application occured, or that the original trial judge made errors during the trial process, or in his summation to the jury.

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There would be seven separate dates for Wilbert Coffin to be executed. This was a record in the Canadian Judicial system. One can only imagine the mental strain associated with the proposed date with the hangman on seven different occasions spanning a time frame from November 26, 1954 for the first one, to the final date of February 10, 1956. Each appeal of course, would be based on the hope and belief that it will be different this time, only to be discovered in the last days that it had failed, and a new process was being formulated to try it again.

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For the greater part of his wait for the final disposition of his case, Wilbert Coffin would be housed in the Quebec City Jail. Wilbert was no stranger to this place. He had been held here before his trial. This place contained many bad memories, and it contained some good memories for Wilbert, as this was the place where he had experienced brutal physical treatment from the Quebec Provincial Police. On the good side, this was also the place where he was shown the most respect since his days at the Gaspe' jail with Sgt. Henri Doyon. At the Quebec jail Wilbert had gained the friendship and respect of the jailer, Eugene Letourneau, and as well the guard team that secured the jail.

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It was not uncommon at Quebec jail for Wilbert to enjoy a game of cards with the jail staff. He drank coffee with them, they brought him books, writing paper and other comforts. The staff were unanimous in their belief that Wilbert Coffin was a victim of the system in Quebec, and did not look upon him as a true guilty party.

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Marion Petrie, Wilbert's wife was free to visit and was always treated cordially by the staff. This was very important to Wilbert as it gave him the chance to see and talk to the love of his life. More importantly, it provided Wilbert the opportunity to talk and look at pictures with Marion about their son, James. Wilbert would receive small packages in the mail from his family members, and staff always ensured that he received them.

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Sometime during the Fall of 1955, the monotony of jail was taking it's toll on Wilbert Coffin. These thoughts would be consistent with someone travelling on a one way ticket with no return journey in sight. Wilbert hatched a plan that could be instrumental to freedom. He had nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Since handguns were not readily available at the Quebec jail, Wilbert decided to settle for second best. Second best would be manufacturing his own. Though minimal in quantity, nonetheless, certain supplies and a generous sampling of good old ingenuity would be necessary to accomplish this feat.

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The main body of this handgun would be carved from a bar of soap. This could easily be borrowed from the sanitation supplies at the jail. He needed a knife. This was readily available from meal utensils. The soap would not present a color consistent with the black finish on a handgun. Wilbert requested that Marion bring him in some black model and exhibit paint that was easily available at a hardware or toy store. One of the guards was kind enough to bring him in a particular tool to drill the muzzle on his new "weapon of mass destruction." These requests were made of course without knowing what Wilbert had in mind, thus it would appear, there was no reaction to his requests. At least that is how it looked on the surface. The weapon was now complete, and was ready to do it's job.

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As I write this part of the story, I ask you to take the time as I have to answer a couple of basic questions about this escape coming up. If you are thinking that it would have been impossible to over power five burly jail guards, and lock them in a cell with or without their permission, then you share my thoughts. Truly, those people were convinced that Wilbert Coffin was an innocent man.

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Five days before a scheduled execution date Wilbert produced his gun to two of the guards, with the instructions to round up all the guard staff and lock them in his cell. This part of the task now being complete, Wilbert exited the main door of the jail. There just happened to be a taxi cab waiting at the main door, a rather strange place for a cab to be waiting. Wilbert entered the cab, immediately told the driver who he was, and the driver explained that he was pleased to meet him, and that he would take him anywhere in his cab that he wished to go.

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Prior to his escape, Wilbert had requested from family members to obtain for him certain maps of the area of southern Quebec going eastward toward the Gaspe' peninsula. It is prudent to assume here that it was Wilbert's plan to stick to the forest on foot. Knowing the forest and his ability to navigate the terrain, Wilbert Coffin would very much have a definite edge on any who may come looking for him.

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At this point Wilbert's trust of the system directed him to contact his legal cousel. Not being able to contact Francois Gravel by telephone, Wilbert elected to call none other than Raymond Maher who was at his home in Quebec City. You will recall, it was lawyer Maher who had either failed him miserably at the trial, or had completely sold him out. Either way, Wilbert Coffin looked to him for guidance once again.

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Raymond Maher's advice to Wilbert was that he must turn himself in, and let the system work for him. It was five days before a scheduled execution date and he informed Wilbert that things would turn around. He persuaded Wilbert to come and pick him up and he would go back with him to turn himself in. Maher would be thinking, this would be a way for he himself to look good, as he would be the one who would be recognized as the one who brought Wilbert Coffin in.

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By now the news was out to the rest of the country. News services across Canada carried the same headline. "Sadistic Murderer From Gaspe' Escapes" Be on the lookout. As family members heard the news they were silently praying that he would take to the forest. They knew that he would never be found there. Wilbert Coffin knew however, he would be a marked man with the Quebec Provincial Police. He knew that he would be shot on sight. Maher convinced him of that.

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The plan was formulated. After picking up Maher they would return to the Quebec jail with Wilbert Coffin lying on the floor in the rear area of the car. Wilbert Coffins taste of freedom lasted less than two hours.

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It is important here to ponder and ask a question. The question would be of course, would it make sense if Wilbert Coffin had truly been guilty to immediately return himself to those holding him captive, namely the government of Quebec? I think not. I think a guilty man would have high-tailed himself far away from Quebec City.

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It was immediately decided upon Wilbert Coffin's return to the Quebec jail that he would be transferred to Montreal's Bordeaux Jail. It was felt within the system that Wilbert Coffin had become too close to those employed at Quebec jail. The only way to erase that problem was to transfer him.

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Lew Stoddard

February 06, 2007

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The next posting will be the final in the series detailing Wilbert Coffin's last days. It was split into two parts from today's posting, mainly because of the volume of information that Lani and I have received. At the conclusion of that posting, I shall immediately be presenting to you the real story as to why Wilbert Coffin was hanged. As I have told you, this will be ugly, this will be sad, and you will find it most upsetting. I should also add that it is not based on my editorial opinion. It is based on documents that are factual. Nothing will be spared , names will be named, and many of these players are still with us today. These are the people who caused the death of Wilbert Coffin. I ask for your comments today and the next two postings. It is important to know where Canadians stand on this terrible travesty of justice.