What happened to Sanford Clark after wineville ranch?

Answer 1

Sanford Clark received a "mercy sentence" of five years for his association with serial killer Gordon Stewart Northcott, benefiting from the very humane and forward-thinking treatment provided at the Whittier School for Boys. He began serving his time in 1928 at the age of fifteen.

After two years there, attending school and trade class every day, he was released and sent back to Saskatchewan, Canada. He rejoined his sister Jessie, who was four years older and who nearly lost her life in her heroic bid to have him rescued from the Wineville murder ranch. Her support and faith in him helped him to begin reconstructing his life.

Sanford's determination to live an honorable, "normal life" was strengthened by his gratitude to Assistant Prosecutor Loyal C. Kelley, who arranged for Sanford's humane treatment and light sentence because Kelley intuitively understood Stockholm Syndrome before it was ever officially recognized or given a name. Sanford fit every criteria for that terrible mental state -- with the exception of idolizing one's captor, which he never did.

Back in Canada, Sanford worked as a laborer throughout the Great Depression, slowly earning back the trust and respect of his community, until he met and eventually married June McGinnis. Once June got to know him she refused to believe that he would ever willingly play any part in the Wineville crimes, and she became his most steadfast supporter. They remained married and intensely devoted to one another for fifty-five years until June's death from a stroke.

Sanford was a decorated veteran of WWII and served nearly six years in the Royal Canadian artillery as a fire team commander of a "25-pounder" large mobile cannon. He saw combat all over Europe. He and June had no children, but adopted two boys to complete their family together. After the war, he spent 28 years as a mail carrier until a heart attack forced his retirement.

Sanford and June constructed their own house on a double plot of land in Saskatoon, with the help of neighbors and relatives. Sanford spent many years happily tending his grove of apple trees in the back yard, and every winter he got the local fire department to send over a water truck to flood the other half of his property -- forming a hockey rink for his sons and the local kids.

After June succumbed to her stroke, Sanford failed quickly. He died on June 20th, 1991.