WINNIPEG – In a significant development, a judge in Winnipeg has granted an acquittal to two First Nations men who were previously convicted of killing a restaurant worker nearly fifty years ago. Chief Justice Glenn Joyal of the Court of King’s Bench declared Brian Anderson and Allan Woodhouse innocent, which prompted an eruption of cheers and claps from the gallery.
The courtroom was filled to capacity, necessitating a move to a larger room to accommodate the numerous individuals who turned up for the appearance of Anderson and Woodhouse. Following Joyal’s decision, emotions ran high, with people embracing and some shedding tears of relief.
The Crown had supported the acquittal, acknowledging the influence of systemic racism on the investigation and prosecution. Crown attorney Michelle Jules candidly stated that the justice system had failed to provide a fair trial, and she advocated for the acquittal of Anderson and Woodhouse.
The case took a significant turn when Federal Justice Minister David Lametti ordered a new trial for the two men in June, citing the presence of unspecified new evidence. This decision paved the way for a reevaluation of the convictions handed down to Anderson and Woodhouse.
The original convictions stemmed from the 1973 killing of Ting Fong Chan, a restaurant worker who was fatally stabbed near a downtown construction site. Anderson and Woodhouse were sentenced to life in prison for the crime. Although they appealed their convictions shortly after the trial, their appeals were denied.
During the court proceedings, both Anderson and Woodhouse maintained their innocence. Anderson, now 68 years old, expressed how the wrongful conviction had profoundly affected his family, stating, “This should have never happened.” Woodhouse, 67, who spent 23 years in prison, declared, “It’s unbelievable to be accused of something you didn’t do,” and he shared the pain of being separated from his family during his incarceration.
Anderson was released on parole in 1987, while Woodhouse regained his freedom in 1990. The impact of the wrongful conviction on their lives and the injustice they endured cannot be undone.
In response to the case, Justice Minister and Attorney General Kelvin Goertzen expressed his belief that a miscarriage of justice had indeed taken place. He offered sincere apologies to Anderson, Woodhouse, and their families, while acknowledging that no words could fully compensate for the years of lost freedom and time spent away from loved ones.
Goertzen also recognized the hardship endured by Chan’s family, as they have sought justice for the past five decades. He stated, “This miscarriage of justice compounds the suffering of the Chan family as well, and as attorney general, I regret and recognize this hardship.”
The case has brought to the forefront the issue of systemic racism, with Kim Beaudin, the vice-chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, asserting that it played a significant role in the events that unfolded. Beaudin emphasized the importance of both provincial and federal governments paying attention to such cases to understand the results of racism, prejudice, and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the prison system.
The convictions of Anderson and Woodhouse were primarily based on a signed confession given by Anderson to the police. However, concerns were raised about Anderson’s comprehension of what he was signing, given the language barriers he faced. In an interview on a U.S.-based podcast last year, Anderson revealed that he believed he was signing a receipt for his personal belongings surrendered during his arrest.
The acquittal of Anderson and Woodhouse serves as a stark reminder of the potential for grave injustices within the criminal justice system. It also highlights the importance of continually examining past convictions to rectify any miscarriages of justice that may have occurred.
As the legal process moves forward, the case of Anderson and Woodhouse will likely contribute to broader discussions on the need for reforms to address systemic racism and ensure a fair and equitable justice system for all.