After nearly five decades of wrongful conviction, Clarence Woodhouse has finally been exonerated. Woodhouse, a member of the Pinaymootang First Nation, was convicted in 1974 for a murder he did not commit. His conviction was based on a coerced confession given in a language he barely spoke. Despite his claims of innocence, it took 49 years for the justice system to recognize the truth.
His exoneration marks not only a personal victory but also a stark reminder of systemic failures that disproportionately impact Indigenous communities. Innocence Canada, which took up his case, fought tirelessly for his freedom. Today, Clarence Woodhouse walks free, but the fight for justice continues.
Decades of injustice, a moment of freedom
For 12 years, Woodhouse was locked behind bars, serving a life sentence for a crime he did not commit. Even after being released on parole, he carried the weight of a wrongful conviction for decades.
In a Winnipeg courtroom, Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal did what should have happened nearly 50 years ago—he acknowledged Woodhouse’s innocence.
“You were wrongfully convicted. You were innocent,” Justice Joyal said, adding that systemic racism had tainted every stage of the case—from the investigation to the trial and sentencing.
Innocence Canada lawyers, from left, Pamela Zbarsky, Jerome Kennedy and James Lockyer
Standing outside the courthouse, Woodhouse spoke softly but powerfully: “It’s nice to be free, eh, after all these years.”
The fight continues
Woodhouse was not the only victim of this injustice. Two of his co-accused, Allan Woodhouse and Brian Anderson, were exonerated last year.
However, his brother, Russell Woodhouse, was also wrongfully convicted and served time for a crime he did not commit. Tragically, Russell passed away in 2011 before he had the chance to see justice served. Innocence Canada has since filed a posthumous application on his behalf to formally recognize the miscarriage of justice in his case.
Further reading:
- Allan Woodhouse & Brian Anderson’s exoneration
- The fight for posthumous justice: Russell Woodhouse’s case
- Legal perspectives on systemic wrongful convictions
Innocence Canada continues to push for Russell’s exoneration and is calling for a federal task force to review wrongful convictions, especially those affecting Indigenous people.
Though nothing can restore the years Clarence lost, his case serves as a powerful example of why justice reform is needed now more than ever.