Frank Ostrowski hopes new government means exoneration for 1980s murder conviction

Winnipegger Frank Ostrowski is tired of waiting, but onThursday, the day after a new federal cabinet was sworn in, he washopeful.

Ostrowski, a former hairstylist who became a cocaine dealer, spent 23 years in jail after he was convicted of ordering the 1986 murder of informant Robert Nieman, another drug dealer.

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A review of his case was announced one year ago bythen justice minister Peter MacKay, and the case was sent to Manitoba's Court of Appeal.

But so far, Ostrowski hasheard nothing.

"They [Manitoba Court of Appeal] are sitting on it. Well, maybe, now that Mr. Trudeau is in power, things are going to change," Ostrowski said.

He said he's tired of the stigma he's carried all these years, which hits hard sometimes, like last weekend when heheard the murmursoutside his door onHalloween;

"People come for candy,'Oh, there's that guy.He lives there,'" Ostrowski said.

Ostrowskisaidhe had hoped MacKay would quashhis convictionbut that didn't happen.

He voted for JustinTrudeauin the recent federalelection in the hope the Liberals would act on his case.

"I voted Liberal. I liked his father, and I think Mr. Trudeau is going to do a good job for Canada," Ostrowski said.

'Take the chains off my neck'

In 2014,MacKaydetermined there was"a reasonable basis to conclude that a miscarriage of justice likely occurred" in Ostrowski's1987 conviction.

Ostrowskiadmits he dealt cocaine while working as a hairstylist in the 1980s, but he's always denied orderingthe 1986 murder of police-informant RobertNieman.

He said he can't count the number of times he's said he didn't do it since his arrest.

"I can't count that high. Really, from the day I was arrested, I didn't believe this would happen to me. I thought it would getstraightenedout," he said.

The Crown at the time saidNiemanwas killed out of fear he was going to tell police aboutOstrowski'scocaine operation.

Ostrowskiwas convicted in large partbecause of the testimony of MatthewLovelace, a drug dealer who had cocaine charges against him dropped in returnfor his testimony.

The jury on the case andOstrowski'slawyersnever heardabout that arrangement, andLovelacesaidhe did not receive any favours in exchange for his testimony.

• Lawyer made deal inOstrowskicase

Now 66 years old and sufferingfrom severearthritis in his hands and legs,Ostrowskiis still waiting for a call from someone from Manitoba Justice.

"How many peoplehave to have say 'miscarriage of justice' before they take the chains off my neck? This is ridiculous,"OstrowskitoldCBC News.

Ostrowski, who takes a handfull of medications for his ailments, can no longer work as a hairstylistand sold a small belt-making business he ran after getting out of prison.

He saidhelp from a few close friendshave kept him from hitting bottom.

"I'm just getting by. If it wasn't for help from my [girlfriend] and other people, I'd be in the line with all the rest of the other people at Siloam Mission," Ostowski said.

Ostrowski said he will seek compensation for his more than two decadesin prison, but he also wants to clear his name.

"There is no better until I'm exonerated and my name is set free-the chains are taking off of me. They are invisible, but they are there," he said.

In a statement,Manitoba Justice said the hearing date for Ostrowski's case in the Court of Appeal has not been set yet. Lawyers are in the process of reviewing the evidence.