One of the most brutal crimes in the province's history will be reviewed by a committee investigating all murders in Manitoba where hair-comparison evidence was used at trial and the convict maintains his or her innocence.

Hair-comparison evidence fell into disrepute after DNA testing proved such evidence was wrong in two high-profile cases. The committee was formed in response to those cases and will now test the DNA of hair evidence from two Manitoba trials, including that of Kyle Unger.

Unger and another man, Timothy Houlahan, were convicted of the 1990 murder of 16-year-old Brigitte Grenier, who was beaten, strangled and sexually mutilated at an outdoor rock concert in Roseisle.

Kyle Unger (file photo)

At the time, police testified a single strand of Unger's hair was found on Grenier's clothing.

Hersh Wolch, Unger's lawyer at the preliminary hearing, says even though his client made a controversial confession to undercover RCMP officers, the hair was the only piece of physical evidence linking him to the crime.

"The jury's going to question the admissions because they easily could be made up when they're induced, and I think the jury would take comfort in the fact that there's physical evidence, i.e. a hair, found on the victim," says Wolch.

Brigitte Grenier

"Kyle always maintained his innocence and still does, and I've always somewhat believed him, really."

Committee members say they'll now have to decide where to send the hair because they want the testing conducted outside Manitoba.

The other man convicted of killing Grenier, Timothy Houlahan, committed suicide in 1994.