Sophonow says inquiry report won't end his pain

Thomas Sophonow believes people still think he is guilty of murder, and says a report into his wrongful conviction won't change that.

Sophonow made the comments after a Manitoba provincial inquiry recommended Monday that he receive $2.6 million for spending close to four years behind bars for the 1981 murder of Winnipeg teenager Barbara Stoppel.

Inquiry commissioner Peter Cory said in his report the wrongful conviction left Sophonow a "psychological wreck" suffering from irreparable damage.

Cory blamed the false conviction on tunnel vision of police and prosecutors, as well as "evil" jailhouse informants.

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Sophonow says the release of the report doesn't end his torment or pain.

"No, it's not a closure in a chapter of my life," he said.

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Sophonow said he appreciates the work that went into the inquiry and the final report, and that he hopes all its recommendations are implemented to spare others from his experience.

The Stoppel family said the report makes a difference to them.

"After sitting through (the inquiry), we found that there were many wrongdoings done by the Crown and the police. As we sat through it, we thought that (Sophonow) should be rewarded in a large way and we hope it does help his life," said Rick Stoppel, Barbara's brother.