Small gathering lays ashes of wrongfully convicted man to rest, as family seeks probe
In a serene grove on the outskirts of a cemetery in Halifax, the family of a man who was wrongfully convicted gathered to lay his remains to rest, marking the end of his physical journey while continuing his fight for justice.
Glen Assoun passed away on June 14, 2023, but his family opted to delay the interment of his ashes until a gathering held on Monday. The intimate ceremony was led by Rev. David Watt, a Baptist minister who had been a steadfast supporter of Assoun throughout the years.
“We laid him to rest here… But I feel like true peace will only come when we see justice served and those responsible held accountable,” expressed Assoun’s daughter, Amanda Huckle, following the service.
In a landmark decision in March 2019, a Nova Scotia court acquitted Assoun of the 1995 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Brenda Lee Way. Despite his exoneration, Assoun had spent 17 years behind bars and endured five years under strict bail conditions, which took a toll on his physical and mental health. It wasn’t until just two years before his passing, at the age of 67, that Assoun received a compensation settlement from the federal and provincial governments.
Nearly five years ago, the province initiated a formal investigation into whether law enforcement officers unlawfully destroyed evidence pertaining to Assoun’s case. However, on November 30, 2023, the Nova Scotia police watchdog announced that the British Columbia oversight body, which had been collaborating on the investigation, had to withdraw due to a heavy caseload. Subsequent efforts to find another oversight body to take on the case have been met with challenges.
Erin Nauss, the director of the Serious Incident Response Team, shared in an email on Monday that while they had hoped to provide an update, they are not yet in a position to disclose the next steps in the investigation.
Huckle affirmed that the family’s resolve remains steadfast, viewing the interment as a form of closure while holding onto hope for a thorough probe into the police misconduct that contributed to Assoun’s wrongful imprisonment.
During the ceremony, Assoun’s ashes were placed in a marble bench adorned with inscriptions of the Gibson guitars he cherished. Family members each had a moment to touch the sides of the enclosure, paying their respects.
Tanya Assoun, his eldest daughter, read a heartfelt letter dated April 19, 2009, penned by Assoun from his prison cell, expressing his love and encouragement for her to stay strong and positive. Reflecting on her father’s unwavering support, Tanya remarked, “He always wanted the best for me. Even in his darkest moments, he would uplift me with his words.”
As the gathering concluded, Watt recited passages from the Bible and fondly reminisced about the cherished moments shared with Assoun, who had been his roommate for two years following his release. Walking away from the tranquil setting, Watt remarked that Assoun would have appreciated the natural surroundings and peaceful setting of his memorial bench, with only the gentle rustling of leaves filling the air.
Amanda Huckle echoed the sentiment, affirming, “My dad deserved peace. He deserves this peace.” The legacy of Glen Assoun lives on through the unwavering determination of his family to seek justice and closure in his memory.
