Wilbert Coffin was executed in 1956 for a crime he didn't commit.
Now, 69 years later, his family is still fighting to clear his name and restore justice.
In June 1953, three American hunters went missing in the Gaspé region of Quebec. Wilbert Coffin, a 40-year-old prospector and father, was one of the last people known to have seen them alive. He had helped them with their vehicle and given them directions.
The bodies of the hunters were discovered, and despite limited evidence and numerous inconsistencies, Wilbert Coffin was arrested and charged with their murders. The case was built on circumstantial evidence, and alternative suspects were never properly investigated.
Wilbert's trial was marred by irregularities. Key evidence was suppressed, witnesses were not called, and the defense was inadequate. The prosecution relied heavily on circumstantial evidence and public pressure following international attention from the United States.
Despite appeals and growing concerns about the safety of his conviction, Wilbert Coffin was hanged at Bordeaux Prison in Montreal. He maintained his innocence until his final breath. A father, a husband, an innocent man was executed by the state.
In 1964, journalist Jacques Hébert published a book exposing the injustice of Coffin's trial. Multiple inquiries have been conducted, but no formal exoneration has been granted. The Coffin family continues to fight for justice and the restoration of Wilbert's name.
"I am innocent. I never killed those men. The truth will come out someday."
— Wilbert Coffin, before his execution
Critical evidence was withheld from the defense, and proper investigative procedures were not followed.
Other potential suspects were never properly investigated, including witnesses who saw suspicious individuals in the area.
The conviction was based entirely on circumstantial evidence with no physical evidence linking Coffin to the murders.
International pressure from the U.S. and public outcry influenced the investigation and trial process.
Bill C-40, known as the David and Joyce Milgaard Law, represents a historic opportunity for justice. This legislation will establish the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission to review potential wrongful convictions in Canada, including cases like Wilbert Coffin's.
Bill C-40, the David and Joyce Milgaard Law, will create the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission. Named in honor of David Milgaard (who was wrongfully convicted) and his mother Joyce (who fought tirelessly for his exoneration), this commission will have the power to investigate wrongful convictions, review evidence, and recommend actions to address miscarriages of justice.
Once implemented, this commission will provide a formal mechanism to review Wilbert Coffin's case. It will be able to examine the evidence, investigate the trial irregularities, and recommend that his name be cleared posthumously. This is the opportunity the Coffin family has been waiting decades for.
Important: While Bill C-40 has been passed, the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission has not yet been implemented, and we don't know when it will be operational. This is why raising public awareness NOW is critical—we need to build momentum so that when the commission is established, Wilbert's case is ready for immediate review.
After 69 years of injustice, we finally have hope. While we wait for the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission to be implemented, we must build public support, gather evidence, and raise awareness. When the commission opens its doors, Wilbert's case must be ready. Share this story, contact your representatives, and help us ensure his case is a priority from day one.
See How You Can HelpFor nearly 70 years, the Coffin family has fought tirelessly to clear Wilbert's name. From his sister Marie to his son James, each generation has carried the burden of this injustice and refused to let the truth be forgotten.
Marie Coffin, Wilbert's sister, knew in her heart that her brother was innocent. While others moved on, Marie refused to let his wrongful execution be forgotten. She became the voice for justice when no one else would listen, dedicating her life to clearing her brother's name.
Through sheer determination and countless hours of hard work, Marie raised $10,000 to pay for legal fees—an extraordinary accomplishment especially considering what that amount represented back then. She organized fundraisers, spoke to anyone who would listen, and poured her heart into the cause.
Marie's $10,000 in the past doesn't have the same purchasing power today, but her legacy of determination, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in justice is priceless. She showed the family—and the world—that this fight was worth it, no matter how long it took.
Marie is counting on us to finish what she started. Her tireless efforts laid the foundation for the fight we continue today. With Bill C-40 (the David and Joyce Milgaard Law) creating the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission, we finally have hope for the opportunity she fought so hard for. We cannot let her down.
In this powerful interview with Innocence Canada, James Coffin shares his personal journey and the impact of his father's wrongful execution on his life and family.
James Coffin grew up without his father. Wilbert was executed when James was just a young boy, leaving a void that would shape his entire life. James never got to know his father—never had the chance to hear his voice, to feel his embrace, or to learn from his wisdom.
The stigma of having a father executed for murder followed James everywhere. He grew up in the shadow of a tragedy that he didn't understand, branded by something he had no part in.
The impact of losing his father in such a traumatic way has affected James deeply. He wonders how things might have been different. He questions what kind of father he could have been to his own children if he had grown up with Wilbert's guidance.
James carries guilt—not for anything he did wrong, but for what he feels he couldn't give because he never received it himself. The trauma of his father's wrongful execution created ripples that have affected multiple generations of the Coffin family.
As his son, I want the world to know: I am proud of the Father he's become and the husband he is to my Mom. I understand the burden he's carried. I have compassion for the pain he's endured. The absence of his father shaped him in ways that no one can fully understand unless they've lived it.
My father did the best he could with the cards he was dealt. And now, we're fighting together to give Wilbert Coffin the justice he deserves—not just for him, but for James, for Marie, and for all the generations affected by this injustice.
James wants nothing more than to clear his father's name. It's not about money or fame—it's about justice, truth, and honoring the memory of an innocent man who was killed by Canadian 'justice'. It's about breaking the cycle of trauma and giving the Coffin family the peace they've been denied for nearly seven decades.
Marie built the foundation with her incredible fundraising and advocacy. James carries the burden of growing up without his father. Together, this family refuses to give up. With your help, we can finally achieve the justice they've fought so hard for.
The story of Wilbert Coffin has attracted attention from journalists, documentarians, and researchers who recognize the importance of this case. James and Marie have spoken publicly about their fight for justice.
A compelling opinion piece examining the lasting significance of the Wilbert Coffin case and why justice must be served even decades later.
James Coffin speaks out about his lifelong mission to clear his father's name and the impact of growing up under the shadow of wrongful execution.
CBC News explores the decades-long fight for justice and the family's determination to prove Wilbert Coffin's innocence.
An in-depth investigation into the evidence and trial proceedings that led to Wilbert Coffin's controversial execution in 1956.
CBC News covers the ongoing family effort to achieve justice, featuring interviews with James Coffin and examining the case seven decades after the execution.
A comprehensive podcast series diving deep into the details of Wilbert Coffin's case, examining the evidence, the trial, and the decades-long fight for justice.
We welcome journalists, documentarians, podcasters, and researchers who want to tell Wilbert's story. Contact us to arrange interviews with family members or to access historical information about the case.
Wilbert Coffin's case is not unique. Throughout Canadian and international history, numerous individuals have been wrongfully convicted and later exonerated. These cases demonstrate that justice systems can and do make mistakes—and that it's never too late to correct them.
Convicted: 1970 (rape and murder)
Exonerated: 1997 (after 23 years in prison)
DNA evidence proved Milgaard's innocence, and he received compensation. His case led to significant reforms in the Canadian justice system.
Convicted: 1971 (murder)
Exonerated: 1983 (after 11 years in prison)
A Mi'kmaq man wrongfully convicted due to racial prejudice and police misconduct. His case exposed systemic racism in the justice system.
Convicted: 1992 (murder)
Exonerated: 1995 (after two trials)
DNA evidence proved his innocence and led to a public inquiry that identified systemic failures in the investigation and prosecution.
Convicted: 1959 (murder, age 14)
Exonerated: 2007 (48 years later)
Canada's youngest person sentenced to death (commuted to life). Acquitted in 2007 based on mishandled evidence and forensic errors.
Convicted: 1975 (IRA pub bombings)
Exonerated: 1991 (after 16 years in prison)
Six men wrongfully convicted based on fabricated evidence and coerced confessions. Their exoneration exposed major flaws in the UK justice system.
Convicted: 1990 (assault and rape)
Exonerated: 2002 (after 6-13 years in prison)
Five teenagers coerced into false confessions. DNA evidence and another person's confession proved their innocence.
Each of these cases demonstrates that wrongful convictions happen, and that justice systems have a responsibility to correct their mistakes—even decades later. Many of these individuals were exonerated posthumously or after spending years in prison for crimes they didn't commit.
Wilbert Coffin deserves the same consideration. Like these cases, his conviction was based on flawed evidence, inadequate defense, and systemic failures. It's time for his name to be cleared.
Clearing Wilbert Coffin's name requires public awareness and support. Here's our strategy to ensure his case gets the attention it deserves from the commission, the media, and the public.
Share Wilbert's story on social media, with your friends, and in your community. The more people who know about this injustice, the more pressure we can put on the commission to prioritize this case.
Reach out to journalists, podcasters, and media outlets. Stories like Wilbert's resonate with the public and can generate the attention needed to prioritize his case with the commission.
Write to your Members of Parliament, Senators, and provincial representatives. Tell them about Wilbert Coffin's case and ask them to support the implementation of the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission and to prioritize Wilbert's case when it opens.
Find Your MPLegal representation and case preparation require resources. Your donation will help cover legal fees, research costs, and the preparation of materials for submission to the commission.
Donate to Legal FundAdd your name to our petition demanding that Wilbert Coffin's case be reviewed as a priority when the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission is implemented. Every signature strengthens our case.
Join our email list to receive updates on the case, campaign progress, and ways to get involved as we move forward.
Marie Coffin raised $10,000 through tireless fundraising efforts to pay for legal fees in the fight to clear her brother's name. Back then, that was an extraordinary amount of money—and an even more extraordinary act of love and determination.
While $10,000 doesn't have the same purchasing power today, Marie's legacy reminds us what's possible when we refuse to give up. She showed us that every dollar raised, every person who believes, and every voice that speaks out matters.
Our primary goal is to raise awareness and generate the public support needed so that when the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission is established, Wilbert's case will be prioritized for immediate review.
Marie is counting on us. James is counting on us. Wilbert's memory is counting on us.
We need:
While awareness is our primary goal, legal work still requires resources. Your contribution will help cover:
Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to justice. Your donation will directly support the legal efforts to clear an innocent man's name and honor Marie's incredible legacy.