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

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.

It has been five years since the provincial government promised an investigation of police actions in the case of Assoun, who spent 17 years in prison for the killing of his ex-girlfriend before he was acquitted in March 2019.

Erin Nauss, director of the Serious Incident Review Team, says she is hopeful to be able to offer an update about the case “in the near future.”

Nauss 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 its officers were too busy.

Assoun died in June 2023 at age 67.

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

The Canadian Press