Stoddard Online

THE WILBERT COFFIN STORY

.

THE CONCLUSION

.

PART FIVE

.

.

Approximately one week later on June 21, 1953 the fears of many connected with the case now became reality. The skeletal remains of two human beings were found approximately two and a half miles from that which had been identified as the remains of Eugene Lindsey. These latest findings were in close proximity to camp 26. It has been reported over the years that these two sets of remains were found together. They were not. In reality they were found several hundred feet apart, and on opposite sides of The St. John River of the Gaspe' peninsula. This fact may seem minor and insignificant, however, it could play an enormous role in actual causes of death.
.
Without doubt, this possible crime scene had all the trappings of the worst ever dealt with by the Quebec Provincial Police. Never in recorded history of the department had a more gruesome scene presented itself for investigation. Obviously, this investigation would command the best in investigative procedures. There simply was no room for error. The parameters were well defined. If at this point you are of the opinion that all is well with the search, investigation, and follow up, I suggest that you take a deep breath and read on.
.
The skeletal remains of two human bodies were relatively intact, though bearing the signs of the intervention of forest animals, namely black bears. The flesh was gone from the bones, thus complicating not only positive identifucation, but visible cause of death. Wallets found nearby would give the searchers the first positive signs of identification. The wallets would contain only an insignificant amount of cash. Personal effects such as a ring and watch would be found near the remains as well, as if placed there by an outside source. Truly, this was a crime scene that would require study. A lot of it. Was this done? Read on and you be the judge.
.
In keeping with a botched investigation, the bones of both skeletons were placed in cardboard boxes and placed in the cargo area of a pickup truck bound for Gaspe' town. This decision was made after reaching the provincial medical officer, Dr. Roussell. Dr. Roussell would simply come to Gaspe' and prepare his report in the basement of the police station, whereupon he would study the skeletal remains. Though fifty- four years later there is absolutely no question in my mind that these remains were those of Richard Lindsey and Frederick Claar, I am completely astounded as to the cold and callous means used in the identification process, considering that a man would eventually hang based on the findings.
.
The autopsy reports as prepared by Dr. Roussell can hardly be described as professional. There is absolutely nothing in those reports that remotely identify a cause of death in either body in spite of the fact Dr. Roussell maintains that cause of death was administered by a firearm. This "fact" was arrived at in the absense of a murder weapon, spent shell casings, bullets and/or bullet fragments, and as well, not one broken bone in either body. Dr. Roussell was further able to state that Frederick Claar had been shot five times. He would further state that in the case of Richard Lindsey, that Master Lindsey slowly bled to death over the course of many hours. Again it is important to consider here that Dr. Roussell determined these findings with no flesh or blood vessels left on the bones.
.
An interesting aspect with regard to Richard Lindsey was the fact that his fully loaded cocked rifle was found some two hundred feet from his skeleton. Further it was determined that the muzzle of his rifle was filled with mud and debris. Later it would be established that the muzzle became clogged during the scuffle which ended his life. Common sense was evidenced by the fact that young Richard would have been very well versed on firearm safety and would have surely known that if the rifle was to have been fired with a clogged muzzle, it would have meant an almost certain explosion. After all, this particular hunting party from Pennsylvania were members of The Pennsylvania Association Of Sportsmens Clubs and would therefore be aware of firearms care and safety. In other words, they possessed good equipment, and were thoroughly knowledgeable in it's operation.

.

With the confirmed discovery of all three members of the Lindsey/Claar hunting party now apparent, the most massive judicial proceeding in the history of Quebec was about to take shape. This would be no ordinary murder case. It involved not only the Gaspe' peninsula, but the government of the province at Quebec City as well. The worst part was, this case had it's tenacles piercing the government of Canada at Ottawa, who in turn was fielding crushing blows from the government of Pennsylvania and the government of the United States Of America at Washington, DC. This case must wrap, and it must wrap quickly. In other words, find a suspect, and build a case.

.

On the day of discovery of the remains of Eugene Lindsey, Sgt. Henri Doyon, officer in charge of the Gaspe' detachment of the Quebec Provincial Police commenced his official investigation of the affair. As a result of scrutiny of reports that I am in possession of, it was common place for Sgt. Doyon to request assistance for serious crimes that required travel and knowledge of the surrounding woods. This time was no exception. He telephoned Captain Raoul Sirois, officer in charge of traffic for Quebec for the Quebec Provincial Police. His request was simple. He asked for and received permission for Constable Lewis Sinnett to work with him on the investigation. As in other cases Cst. Sinnett's knowledge was invaluable. He knew the forests, and he knew the people. He was also totally bilingual.

.

On the same day as the discovery of the remains of Richard Lindsey and Frederick Claar, an unusual police vehicle would arrive at the detachment office in Gaspe'. This vehicle was decked out with a bed and a chauffeur. The vehicle was transporting a hand picked officer. He had been hand picked by Maurice Duplessis. His name was Captain Alphonse Matte.

.

Captain Matte had one question for Sgt. Doyon. Who was the last person to have seen these American tourists alive? Sgt. Doyon responded by saying that a local man, Wilbert Coffin, had been seen some weeks back with one of the Americans in Gaspe'. They were trying to obtain a part for a vehicle.

.

Captain Matte's reaction was sure and swift. He stated,"I am now in charge of this investigation and I want to learn everything about this Wilbert Coffin." And so it began, in reality on this day Wilbert Coffin would take his first step on the way to the gallows at Bordeaux nearly three years later. The reason for this was simple. From that point of time onward, no other suspect would be considered, and no other course of action was ever contemplated. Wilbert Coffin was now the mouse, and Captain Alphonse Matte was the cat.

.

We have finally reached that point in the story where you will see an entirely different case being constructed. It is not being built by circumstantial or hypothetical situations. It is assembled from facts that have always been there, but never touched upon by the judiciary or the media. If it had been and been presented in a court of law, I am confident that Wilbert Coffin would have lived to see old age.

.

I know there are some who insist on a quick answer to all this. Allow me to reiterate. I have worked with Lani Mitchell on this case for nearly sixteen months. I would be allowing an injustice, not only to the families involved, but to myself and Lani as well if the results of our findings were not presented in a well orchestrated and dignified manner. Indeed, we are hopeful that the fruits of our labour will be a contributing factor in the eventual overturning of this case. We will never deviate from that course.

.

I am further convinced that when you see the exact case that we will present, you will be in agreement that the story had to be told. This story has been around for some fifty-four years for anyone to research and investigate. I have chosen to do that, and I am glad that I did. It makes one appreciate what hard work is all about, but more importantly, it makes one realize what can be accomplished. The "Untold Wilbert Coffin Story" will be presented here on the web site in just a few days. Thank you again for being a great audience.

.

Lew Stoddard

.

This manuscript is protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part, for whatever reason, is not permitted without the express written permission by the author, Lew Stoddard.