Investigation of N.S. police actions in Glen Assoun’s wrongful conviction in limbo

Glen Assoun, who died in June 2023 at age 67, was acquitted in March 2019 of the 1995 killing of his ex-girlfriend, Brenda Lee Anne Way, after spending almost 17 years in prison. Assoun stands outside Supreme Court in Halifax on July 12, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s police watchdog is awaiting word on whether another oversight agency will investigate potential police misconduct in the wrongful conviction of Glen Assoun -- five years after a probe was promised.

The province’s former Liberal government committed in September 2020 to an independent investigation of police actions in the case of Assoun, who spent 17 years in prison for the killing of his ex-girlfriend.

The Halifax resident was acquitted in March 2019 and died in June 2023 at age 67, after repeatedly stating he wanted an investigation into the actions of the officers involved in his case.

A preliminary assessment by the federal Justice Department determined that the RCMP chose not to disclose an investigator’s theories about other suspects in the murder case, and that the Mounties had destroyed most of this potential evidence.

In a statement sent Thursday, Erin Nauss, director of the Serious Incident Review Team, says she hopes to be able to offer an update about the case “in the near future.”

She has said since early 2024 that another provincial investigatory body was considering taking on the case, but she has been awaiting approval from its government.

British Columbia’s police oversight body had taken on the investigation but dropped the case 18 months ago because it said its officers were too busy.

Nauss says in a written statement Thursday that she appreciates concerns about the delay and understands it is a matter of national importance.

“Getting this investigation started is a priority for me,” wrote Nauss.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Becky Druhan told reporters on Thursday that she is also eager to see the investigation started, but is leaving the matter with the Serious Incident Response Team.

“This is a unique and unusual circumstance and I share the public interest in ensuring this is investigated and addressed,” she said.

Nauss’s statement said that if an investigation is carried out it would be to “conduct an investigation into the actions of Nova Scotia police officers and to determine if any criminal charges are warranted related to the wrongful conviction of Glen Assoun.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2025.