My name is Lance Sampson and I want to thank you for taking the time to read about my great-great grandfather, Daniel Perry Sampson. Daniel P., a veteran of No.2 Construction Battalion, was arrested for the murder of two white boys who were found dead along the railroad tracks on the outskirts of what was then the city of Halifax. Daniel P. was convicted, sentenced to death, and executed by hanging on March 7, 1935.

Daniel P. was innocent.

On March 7, 2025, I filed an Application with the Canadian Minister of Justice to have my great-great-grandfather’s conviction reviewed. This fundraiser will help support legal expenses for a hopeful appearance in front of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. None of the money donated will go to legal fees because my lawyer has agreed to work on this case entirely pro bono.

On October 20, 1934, Daniel P. was wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. His trial documents historical injustices and procedural unfairness experienced by Black people in Nova Scotia as the result of systemic anti-Black racism that has long been embedded in Canada’s legal system. Evidence recently discovered by my lawyer shows that multiple cops and other government witnesses lied under oath and knowingly misled the court. Also, the Crown Attorney withheld relevant evidence that he was supposed to have disclosed to the Court and Daniel’s defence lawyer. The Crown Attorney put witnesses on the stand who he knew had changed their stories and whose testimony was not truthful. Probably the most shocking new information is that the Crown entered a false confession at Daniel’s second trial that was signed with an X-mark because the police said Daniel P. “had no education” and couldn’t read or write. This wasn’t true as we now have evidence that Daniel learned how to read and write almost two decades before his arrest when he served in No.2 Construction Battalion. The signature on that document wasn’t Daniel P.’s; it was forgery and fraud.

Daniel faced two sets of trials and appeals in Nova Scotia. An appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was not successful. Ultimately, the fresh evidence recently discovered indicates that the case against Daniel P. was unfair and unsafe. It needs to be overturned and his innocence restored.

This case isn’t just about how my family was affected by Daniel P.’s wrongful conviction and unjust execution. Yes, Daniel P.’s wife and son were robbed of a husband and father that plunged them into poverty. That young boy, my great-grandfather Arthur, grew up without a father and was bullied throughout his life because of Daniel P. and a crime he didn’t commit. The impact of this case has followed within my family over generations to the present day. Daniel P.’s case, however, also speaks about something bigger. This case confirms long-held community knowledge about systemic discrimination within the justice system for the Black community in Nova Scotia. It confirms the lived experience of community members who have for far too long seen not only justice delayed but justice denied.  

My family has always known Daniel P. was innocent, but it was only very recently that we were able to find the evidence for what we believe is one of the worst miscarriages of justice ever in Canada. About 20 years ago, a graduate student at Dalhousie Law School wrote a paper about Daniel P.’s arrest, trials, and appeals. A couple of years ago, I reached out to this person, David Steeves, who is now a senior lawyer in Toronto and he agreed to meet. In 2024, David became our lawyer and has been able to find fresh evidence that was never disclosed at Daniel P.’s trials and had not seen the light of day for over 90 years.

Our lawyer has committed to doing everything he can to get Daniel P.’s case heard by the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. Filing our application to have this case reviewed by the Minister of Justice was a huge step forward but there is a lot more that needs to be done. If this case is referred to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, then we’ll need to be ready with financial resources to schedule a court hearing without any delay. Our lawyer anticipates that a potential hearing could take up to two days or more and require legal expenses for court filing fees, photocopying and courier expenses, and expert appearances. Altogether, his estimate for these legal expenses is more than $30,000. This amount does not include any amount for legal fees because David has agreed to do this work for my family pro bono, meaning he will not send us a bill for his legal services. All funds donated will be held securely in David's lawyer trust account.

My family genuinely thanks you for the time you’ve taken to learn more about Daniel Perry Sampson. Any amount you’re willing to contribute is greatly appreciated and will help us begin to heal from the legacy of a terrible wrong.

Thank you,

Lance Sampson