A former member of the Manitoba legislature who has proclaimed his innocence on drug charges for more than 30 years says he has a new reason to hope for justice.
Bob Wilson says the arrest of Ian Jackson MacDonald in Florida this week could finally prove he was not part of a plan to import marijuana into Manitoba.
Wilson was tried, convicted and jailed in 1980, but Mr. MacDonald, who was the alleged mastermind, escaped from custody in the U.S. three decades ago under mysterious circumstances.
He allegedly faked a heart attack and was able to escape from the hospital when his guard left him alone.
On Tuesday, U.S. authorities arrested the 71-year-old, who had been living with his wife under an assumed name.
Mr. MacDonald was taken to Marion County Jail and was to make an appearance on escape charges in federal court in Orlando.