Episode 2: Police Investigation and Arrest
The second episode explores the police investigation and how Wilbert Coffin became a suspect so quickly for the murder of the three hunters. While a local police officer, Sergeant Doyon was initially assigned to investigate the case, he was promptly removed by individuals higher up in the Quebec Provincial Police (now Sûreté du Québec) and replaced with outside officers, who had little knowledge of the local people or culture. Tunnel vision was apparent on the part of the police, as evidence appeared to be sought that confirmed their theory that Coffin was the perpetrator, and any exculpatory evidence ignored. Also discussed in the episode are the machinations that surrounded the assignment of Coffin’s problematic legal representation and the results of the Coroner’s inquest and preliminary inquiry, whereby Coffin was ultimately charged with the murder of one of the hunters, Richard Lindsey.