Investigation of N.S. police actions in wrongful conviction of Glen Assoun in limbo
Nova Scotia’s police watchdog, the Serious Incident Review Team (SIRT), is currently waiting for confirmation on whether another oversight agency will launch an investigation into potential police misconduct surrounding the wrongful conviction of Glen Assoun. This development comes five years after a promise was made to probe into the case.
The former Liberal government of the province pledged in September 2020 to conduct an independent investigation into the actions of the police in Assoun’s case. Assoun, a resident of Halifax, had spent 17 years in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend before being acquitted in March 2019. Tragically, he passed away in June 2023 at the age of 67, consistently expressing his desire for an inquiry into the conduct of the officers involved in his case.
A preliminary assessment carried out by the federal Justice Department revealed that the RCMP had opted not to disclose an investigator’s theories regarding other potential suspects in the murder case. Additionally, it was found that the Mounties had destroyed a significant portion of the potential evidence related to the case.
Erin Nauss, the director of SIRT, mentioned in a statement released on Thursday that she is hopeful to provide an update on the situation soon. She has been indicating since early 2024 that another provincial investigative body was considering taking up the case, pending approval from the government.
Previously, British Columbia’s police oversight body had taken on the investigation but discontinued its involvement 18 months ago due to resource constraints.
Nauss emphasized in her statement that addressing the delay is a priority for her, recognizing the national significance of the matter. Justice Minister Becky Druhan also expressed eagerness for the investigation to commence, deferring to SIRT to oversee the process.
If an investigation proceeds, it will focus on scrutinizing the actions of Nova Scotia police officers and determining if any criminal charges are warranted in connection with the wrongful conviction of Glen Assoun. The commitment to transparency and accountability in this case underscores the importance of upholding justice and integrity within law enforcement practices.
