In 1935, Daniel Perry Sampson faced the gallows in Halifax, marking the final execution in the city under the death penalty. Despite his family’s assertions of his innocence, Sampson was convicted of a crime. Now, almost a century later, there is a renewed effort to secure Sampson’s formal exoneration.
Sampson, an African Nova Scotian who served in the No. 2 Construction Battalion during World War I, allegedly confessed to the murder of two young white boys. However, a discrepancy arises regarding the authenticity of his signature on the confession. While the confession bore an X mark, typically used by illiterate individuals, records indicate Sampson was literate and could sign his full name, a skill acquired during his military service.
Lawyer David Steeves highlighted the suspicious nature of the X signature, suggesting that someone else may have penned the confession. Notably, Sampson’s military discharge and marriage documents were signed using his complete name, casting doubt on the validity of the confession.
The application for a criminal conviction review was submitted by Lance Sampson, Daniel Sampson’s great-great-grandson, on the 90th anniversary of Sampson’s death. The case is currently under review by the federal justice minister and the Criminal Conviction Review Group. Lance Sampson, also known as Aquakultre in the music industry, expressed gratitude for the ongoing legal representation by David Steeves.
Steeves emphasized the role of racism in the historical handling of the case, noting the absence of African Nova Scotians or Black jurors during Sampson’s trial by an all-white jury. He pointed out over 15 pieces of new evidence that raise significant concerns about the case against Sampson, including instances of perjury, withheld documents, and unreliable witness testimonies.
Moreover, Steeves challenged the narrative of a violent crime, proposing that the boys may have tragically died in a train accident while picking berries near the tracks. He condemned the miscarriage of justice in assigning blame to an individual who was likely not present at the scene of the incident.
The quest for Sampson’s exoneration continues to shed light on the flaws and biases of the past legal system, urging a reevaluation of the circumstances surrounding his conviction.
