For 46 years, this Quebec man claimed he was innocent. He's now acquitted of double murder

Moments after being acquitted of two counts of first-degree murder, Claude Paquin told the Quebec Superior Court judge that he was finally able to escape the hell he has been living in for more than 40 years.

"I now have total freedom," Paquin, 81, told a group of reporters at the Montreal courthouse on Wednesday.

His acquittalbroughtan end to his decades-long fight to prove his innocence that featured multiple twists, including the now-discredited testimony of apolice informant.

His court victory comes just months after federal Justice Minister Arif Virani ordered his second trial. That decision was based on new information in the case which, according to the minister,showed that a "miscarriage of justice likely occurred."

In light of this new evidence,the Crown prosecutor announced on Wednesdayit would not pursue the second trial.

Paquin was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Ronald Bourgouin and Sylvie Revah, a couple killed in 1978 in the Laurentians. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years.

In 1987, the Court of Appeal of Quebec dismissed his appeal. On Oct. 27, 1988, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed his application for leave to appeal.

The waiting period for hisparole eligibilitywas eventually reduced. Hewas granted full parole in 2001, but he has dealt with strict release conditions that, starting Wednesday, no longer apply.

But Paquin said he never lost hope.

"I always told myself something would happen," he said. "I'll try to enjoy my life, the time that I have left."

Informant's testimony questioned

Paquin says his acquittal would not have been possible without the work of his lawyers who are part of Projet Innocence Qubec. The grouphelps people it believes have been wrongfully convicted.

According to NicolasSt-Jacques, the group's vice-president,Paquinstood trial with two other people who were also accused of first-degree murder. A separate trial was held for a fourth person. The Crown believed Paquinorchestrated the murders and two of the three other men carried them out.

The case relied heavily on Bernard Provenal, a well-known police informant. But over the years, St-Jacques and his team foundevidence that raised questions about his credibility.

The man Provenal claimed shot one of the victims appealed his conviction. The Crown eventually decided to drop the first-degree murder charge and he was ultimately found guilty of the lesser charge of being an accessory after the fact.

This development, which Projet Innocence Qubecfound out about while working on Paquin's case,contradicted the informant's claim that he was the shooter.The group also found information that strongly suggested the informant received money and favours from police in exchange for testimony against Paquin.

'I'm free'

The last 46years have taken a toll on Paquin.

"I'm not the man I was 40 years ago," he said.

He saysit's too early to talk about pursuing legal action for his wrongful conviction.

WATCH| In July, Paquin's lawyer reacted to minister ordering new trial:

Quebec organization convinces federal justice minister to review 2 cases

4 months ago

Duration 5:15

Nicholas Saint-Jacques, vice-president of Projet Innocence Qubec, talks about the work of his non-profit that advocates for the wrongfully convicted and the two cases that will be reviewed thanks to his group's work.

Even after his release in 2001, there were times he couldn't travel further than 50 kilometres away from his home. Now, he's looking forward to getting a Canadian passport and possibly travelling with his loved ones.

"The main thing is that I'm free," he said. "Freedom is important, don't you think?"

The 81-year-oldsays he's thankful for the work of his legal team, who believed him when very few others did.