City police have a new suspect in the 1981 murder of Barbara Stoppel. Police Chief Jack Ewatski also says the man tried three times for the murder is innocent.

The revelations came at a news conference on Thursday and add more headlines to a murder that captured the attention of the city and province for almost two decades.

"The past 18 years of my life have been very difficult," said Sophonow.

He made the comments at a news conference in Toronto. He broke down a number of times as he told his story.

"It's almost over," Sophonow said.

Winnipeg Police Chief Jack Ewatski said new evidence completely clears him of the crime.

Sophonow was arrested after Stoppel was murdered in a St. Boniface doughnut shop in 1981.

Sophonow was tried three times and found guilty twice. One trial ended in a hung jury. Each time he was convicted, the jury decisions were overturned by appeal courts. The Supreme Court finally refused to allow a fourth trial. Sophonow spend 45 months in jail.

Throughout, Sophonow adamantly maintained his innocence while police maintained his guilt.

Now that has changed.

Ewatski told reporters Thursday, a review of the original murder investigation will be held and Sophonow has received an apology from the police service.

"A complete resolution of this case is still a long way off," he said. "But, I concluded that Thomas Sophonow should not have to wait a day longer than he already has to begin the process of having his name cleared.

"I've also met with the family of Barbara Stoppel and I have kept them informed of the progress of the case. The pain that they have suffered over the 18 years has been immense."

Manitoba's Justice Minister announced Thursday an independent inquiry will be launched. It will headed by a retired Supreme Court justice to determine what went wrong and if Sophonow should be compensated for the four years he spent in jail.

Chief Ewatski asked the public to wait until the review is complete before judging the original investigators. He added that while a recent DNA analysis was done on old evidence, it wasn't the factor that led to the reopening of the case.