Clarence Woodhouse exonerated of 1973 Winnipeg killing

Clarence Woodhouse, who was sent to prison 50 years ago for the murder of a Winnipeg man, has been exonerated.
Woodhouse was convicted of second-degree murder in 1974 in the death of John William Harper, a restaurant worker. He was sentenced to life in prison and served 12 years before being released on parole in 1986.
In 2021, the Manitoba Court of Appeal overturned Woodhouse's conviction, ruling that the trial judge had erred in admitting certain evidence. The Crown appealed the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada, but the appeal was dismissed in June 2023.
Woodhouse has always maintained his innocence, and he says he is relieved to finally have his name cleared.
"It's nice to be free," he said in a statement released by his lawyer. "I've been fighting for this for 50 years, and I'm finally glad that I can put this behind me."
Woodhouse's exoneration is a victory for justice, and it is a reminder that the justice system is not always perfect. It is also a reminder that it is never too late to right a wrong.