Wilbert Coffin

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Wilbert Coffin (1913 – February 10, 1956) was a Canadian prospector who was convicted of murder and executed in Canada. Montreal journalist, editor, author and politician Jacques Hebert raised doubt in Coffin's guilt in J'accuse les assassins de Coffin.^{[citation needed]}

On July 15th 1953, the body of Eugene Lindsey is found in Gaspé area, Quebec torn apart by bears. On July 23rd 1953, the bodies of his 17-year old son Richard Lindsey and 20 year-old Frederick Claar are found, 4km further. They had last been seen going into the woods to hunt. Lindsey had graduated from high school the day before the trip. Coffin was accused of ambushing the three victims and stealing more than 600 dollars. Coffin denied committing the murders, but admitting to stealing some of the victims' luggage.

Coffin went through seven reprieves after his conviction where he was denied clemency by the Quebec Court of Appeals, the Canadian Supreme Court and the Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent's cabinet. Finally, on February 10, 1956, Coffin mounted the gallows. He was refused his final wish of marrying Marion Petric, his partner and mother of his 8-year-old son James.

[edit] Posthumous

Mohawk Indian Frederick Gilbert Thompson confessed to the crime in 1958, fingering his friend Johnny Green as the killer of Richard. He later repudiated his confession and Canadian authorities dismissed his story as not credible. {{1958 :[Final Edition 57]. (1999, December 27). Kingston Whig - Standard,p. 61. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from Canadian Newsstand Core database. (Document ID: 294746281)}}