Seeking Justice Beyond Exoneration: Robert Mailman’s 77th Birthday Wish
As Robert Mailman approaches his 77th birthday, his thoughts are consumed not by celebration, but by a relentless pursuit of truth and accountability. Despite being exonerated after 18 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, Mailman finds little solace in his newfound freedom. The void left by unanswered questions about the mishandling of his case fuels his determination to uncover the full story behind his wrongful conviction.
A Long Journey to exoneration
Mailman and his friend Walter Gillespie were convicted in 1984 for a murder that took place in 1983. Their convictions were based on what Innocence Canada, the organization that fought for their exoneration, described as a combination of "police tunnel vision, non-disclosure of important evidence, and recanted testimony from key witnesses." The men’s strong alibis were ignored, and their lives were forever altered by a justice system that failed them. It wasn’t until January 2024, after federal Justice Minister Arif Virani’s review, that their names were cleared, and they were formally acquitted.
The Fight for Accountability
The exoneration, while a relief, has not brought closure for Mailman. He and Gillespie, who passed away in April 2023 after spending 21 years in prison, have long alleged misconduct by the Saint John police. Gillespie claimed he was coerced into signing a false confession implicating Mailman, with the threat of a life sentence if he refused. Mailman now seeks accountability for those responsible for their wrongful convictions. He believes that without holding individuals accountable, future miscarriages of justice are inevitable.
The External Review and the Quest for Transparency
In response to the exoneration, Saint John Police Chief Robert Bruce commissioned an external review of the case, conducted by retired RCMP officer Allen Farrah. The review aims to examine the police handling of the case and is currently undergoing a privacy check. While Tamara Kelly, chairwoman of the city’s board of police commissioners, assures that a version of the report will be made public, Mailman questions the reasons behind the delay and the privacy concerns being cited. He argues that those responsible for the miscarriage of justice should not enjoy the same privacy protections they denied him and Gillespie.
Innocence Canada’s Perspective
Ron Dalton, co-president of Innocence Canada, echoes Mailman’s frustrations. He emphasizes that the evidence pointing to their innocence was always available, and the delays in addressing these issues reflect a lack of resolve to confront past injustices. Dalton calls on the police to demonstrate the courage to acknowledge and rectify their errors, rather than continuing to postpone accountability.
A Birthday Wish for Truth and Justice
As Mailman approaches his 77th birthday, his wish is not for celebration, but for the truth. Battling terminal liver cancer, he is acutely aware of the preciousness of time and the urgency of his quest for justice. While an apology would be a gesture of acknowledgment, what he desires most is to see those responsible for his wrongful conviction held accountable. The release of the review report could be the first step toward that accountability, offering Mailman and the public the answers they deserve about a case that has haunted him for decades.
