David Asper: The Man Behind the Milgaard Case, Bombers & Sea Bears

<p>Three days after David Asper started practising criminal defence in Winnipeg, he was pulled into his boss’s office. Joyce Milgaard was sitting there. Her son David had already spent 17 years in prison for a murder he said he didn’t commit.</p><p>A six-year fight followed, culminating in an April 1992 Supreme Court of Canada decision. Later DNA testing confirmed another man was responsible.</p><p>After helping win Milgaard’s freedom, David walked away from criminal law.</p><p>In this episode of <em>Careers Under Construction</em>, David shares:</p><ul><li>How he challenged the Crown’s version of the Milgaard murder using a camcorder and crime scene reenactment</li><li>Why he left criminal law after the biggest win of his career</li><li>What really happened at Canwest Global and his dad’s warning: “Never build empires, because empires never survive”</li><li>Becoming chair of the Blue Bombers during years of financial and operational struggles</li><li>Why fans wanted legroom, bathrooms, concessions and a better game-day experience</li><li>Getting cut out of his stadium deal after investing more than $6 million — while in Churchill watching polar bears with his wife and no cell service<br />Why he reconsidered retirement and started a professional basketball team after meeting immigrant families across the country• The double meaning behind the Sea Bears logo — “I’m back”</li><li>Why he believes failure teaches more than success</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>From freeing David Milgaard to building businesses and bringing pro basketball back to Winnipeg, David Asper has left his mark on the city.</p>