House votes for swift review in Wilbert Coffin execution

The House of Commons has unanimously adopted a motion calling for a swift investigation into the 1956 execution of Wilbert Coffin, who was put to death after he was convicted of murder in the Gaspé.

Allfour parties voted Tuesday to support the largely symbolic motion tabled by Gaspé MP Raynald Blais. The federal Justice Department is already re-examining the case after it ordered a judicial review in the fall of 2006.

Ottawa's reaction caps a half-century of lobbying by Coffin's family members, who believe the courts convicted the wrong man after three American tourists were murdered in the bush outside Murdochville in 1953. Coffin was convicted on one murder count in the death ofRichard E. Lindsay.

"We want the public to sit up and read about this, and realize what a terrible thing happened 51 years ago to my brother," said Marie Coffin, Wilbert's 75-year-old sister.

Wilbert Coffin was hanged at Bordeaux prison in 1956 after he was convicted for the murder charge.

Coffin never testified and no witnesses were called to his defence.

Many have speculated he was a scapegoat to protect the Gaspé tourism industry from bad press in the United States.

The judicial review underway is the first time the Justice Department has decided to revisit a case involving a deceased convict.

The review could lead to a new trial or a Court of Appeal hearing. Canada has never granted a posthumous pardon.

Former senator Jacques Hébert has written three books criticizing Coffin's execution.