Justice Denied: The Tragic Death of Glen Assoun

“Glen Assoun’s Story: A Tale of Perseverance and Injustice”

Introduction

Canadian society prides itself on justice and fairness, but when it comes to Glen Assoun, these principles were sorely lacking. Glen’s story is one of unimaginable hardship, perseverance, and ultimately, injustice. From being discarded as a child to being wrongfully imprisoned for a murder he did not commit, his journey encapsulates the flaws and failures within our criminal justice system.

A Life of Struggles

Glen Assoun’s life was marked by challenges and adversity from an early age. He faced neglect as a child, dropping out of school at a young age and finding himself without any guidance or support from authorities. As a teenager, he struggled with alcohol addiction, living on the fringes of society. It was in this marginalized world that he found love and companionship with Brenda Way, a sex worker battling her own demons.

Their relationship was far from conventional, but it offered solace and refuge from a community that had ignored and often ostracized them. Tragically, Brenda was murdered in 1995, and instead of a thorough investigation, the authorities settled for half-hearted efforts that led nowhere. The lack of justice in Brenda’s case laid the foundation for the injustice that would follow in Glen’s life.

A Mockery of Justice

In 1997, Glen Assoun was arrested for Brenda’s murder based on flimsy evidence and a flawed investigation carried out by the Halifax police. His trial in 1999 was marred by prosecutorial misconduct, a biased judge, and a jury that failed to recognize the glaring inconsistencies in the case. Despite maintaining his innocence, Glen was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to prison.

Throughout his time behind bars, Glen remained steadfast in his belief of innocence, even going so far as to stitch the words “wrongly convicted” onto his prison hat. However, instead of receiving support and fair treatment, he faced abuse from prison guards, ridicule from fellow inmates, and indifference from the outside world. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the supposed symbol of justice, even had evidence of Glen’s innocence but conspired to destroy it, compounding the travesty that had befallen him.

A Glimpse of Hope and Captivity

In 2014, Glen’s case caught the attention of Innocence Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to overturning wrongful convictions. By presenting new evidence and highlighting the injustices in Glen’s case, they successfully brought attention to the miscarriage of justice that had occurred. In a rare turn of events, Justice James Chipman ordered Glen’s release from prison, acknowledging the likelihood of his factual innocence.

However, Glen’s newfound freedom came at a heavy cost. Burdened with onerous conditions and surrounded by a slow-moving legal process, he continued to struggle and face numerous restrictions. It took three years for a committee of lawyers from the federal Criminal Convictions Review Board to recommend Glen’s full exoneration. Yet, even after this recommendation, the process was plagued with delays and inaction.

A Broken Man Denied Justice

By the time a new trial was ordered in 2019, Glen had already endured immense suffering. Physically and emotionally depleted, he found himself living off the charity of others, lacking financial stability and facing an uncertain future. While he received a modest sum of $200,000 from the Nova Scotia Justice Department, it paled in comparison to the 16 years he spent wrongfully imprisoned.

What Glen truly sought was not just financial compensation, but an official apology and recognition of the wrongs committed against him. Despite his pleas, an official apology was never offered, leaving Glen without the closure and validation he desperately sought. The lack of transparency surrounding the settlement further exemplifies the systemic issues that deny justice to victims of wrongful convictions.

A Call for Reflection and Change

Glen Assoun’s story serves as a sobering reminder of the deep flaws within our justice system. It highlights the urgent need for reform, both to prevent wrongful convictions and to provide adequate support and compensation for those who have been wrongfully imprisoned. The fact that those responsible for Glen’s suffering continue to live comfortable lives only adds insult to injury.

As a society, we must demand accountability from those in power and ensure that such injustices are never repeated. The case of Glen Assoun calls for a reevaluation of our priorities and a commitment to transparency, fairness, and compassion. To truly achieve justice, we must address the systemic issues that allow such grave miscarriages of justice to occur.

In memory of Glen Assoun, let us strive to create a justice system that upholds the values we hold dear – accountability, fairness, and the protection of innocent lives. Only then can we truly claim to be a just society.

Rest in peace, Glen.

About the author

Tim Bousquet is the editor and publisher of the Halifax Examiner, and a longtime reporter with four decades of experience. His dedication to uncovering the truth and amplifying injustices has made him a trusted and influential voice in Canadian journalism. Tim Bousquet’s work serves as a testament to the power of storytelling in shedding light on societal issues and demanding accountability from those responsible.