Minister of Justice orders new trial in Nova Scotia murder case following conviction review

OTTAWA, March 1, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government is committed to a fair and impartial criminal justice system that respects the needs of victims while guarding against potential miscarriages of justice.

The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced today that he has ordered a new trial for Mr. Glen Assoun, pursuant to the conviction review provisions of the Criminal Code.

On September 17, 1999, Mr. Assoun was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Brenda Way, and sentenced to life imprisonment with parole eligibility set at 18 ½ years. On April 20, 2006, his appeal to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal was dismissed and his application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was denied on September 14, 2006. Mr. Assoun's counsel filed an application to the Minister of Justice for a review of his criminal conviction and in November 2014 he was granted bail pending the outcome of that review.

For an application for ministerial review to succeed, the Minister of Justice must be satisfied that there is a reasonable basis to conclude that a miscarriage of justice likely occurred, and therefore a new trial or appeal is required. The Minister does not decide on guilt or innocence, but must consider all relevant information, including whether the application is supported by new matters of significance not previously considered by the courts.

Quotes
"Promoting a fair and impartial criminal justice system that respects the needs of victims while protecting against potential miscarriages of justice is crucial to furthering Canadians' confidence in our justice system. Following a thorough review, I am satisfied that a new trial is necessary to ensure a fair process in the case of Glen Assoun."

The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Quick Facts

• Section 696.1 of the Criminal Code provides that a person who has been convicted of an offence and who has exhausted all rights of appeal may apply to the Minister of Justice for a review of his or her conviction.
• The Criminal Conviction Review Group of the Department of Justice conducts a review on behalf of the Minister of Justice and provides the Minister with advice on whether a miscarriage of justice likely occurred. In appropriate cases, the Minister can order a new trial or appeal.
• Additional information about the criminal conviction review process in Canada is available here: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/ccr-rc/index.html

Associated Links

• Criminal Conviction Review Group

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SOURCE Department of Justice Canada

Media may contact: Célia Canon, Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Justice, [email protected]; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]