New trial ordered for Quebec man who spent 33 years in prison for 4 murders

Federal authorities have ordered a new trial for Daniel Jolivet, a Quebec man who spent 33 years in prison for four murders committed in 1992. The decision came after Justice Minister Sean Fraser ruled there may have been a miscarriage of justice in Jolivet’s case. The ruling follows claims that new evidence emerged which could challenge the convictions that led to his long incarceration. The case dates back to 1992, when two men and two women were shot in Brossard, Quebec, in what police initially believed to be a dispute involving drugs. Jolivet was arrested and later convicted in 1994 of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. His conviction rested heavily on the testimony of an informant, whose credibility has since come under scrutiny. His legal team, including Nicholas St-Jacques of Project Innocence Quebec, has argued that the informant’s statements lacked reliability and were not fully corroborated by other evidence. Jolivet’s initial conviction was overturned on appeal, but the Supreme Court of Canada reinstated it in 2000. This meant he remained imprisoned for nearly three decades before a recent development. In October 2025, the Quebec Crown prosecutor’s office indicated that Jolivet had not received a fair trial and that new evidence had surfaced which might exonerate him. As a result, he was granted bail in December 2025, marking a dramatic shift in his life after 33 years behind bars. Upon his release, Jolivet expressed both relief and bewilderment at the changes in society. He described the cost of basic goods as shocking and noted how much the world had evolved since his imprisonment. Yet, he also spoke of small joys, such as sleeping in a king-size bed and feeling free. Despite this, his primary goal remains clear: to stand before a court and be declared not guilty. “I want a new trial, because I want to be found not guilty,” he told reporters. “It’s the better option because everyone will know that I am innocent.” Legal advocates emphasize the importance of Jolivet’s pursuit of justice. St-Jacques highlighted that individuals like Jolivet often fight tirelessly, sometimes while incarcerated, to prove their innocence. For Jolivet, the process has been more than just a legal battle, it has been a struggle for dignity and recognition. “He’s been fighting for all these years, not only to get back his freedom, but to tell the world that he is not the person who committed the crime,” St-Jacques explained. Jolivet has already begun planning for life beyond prison, expressing interest in activities like fishing. However, a specific date for his new trial has not yet been scheduled. The case now rests with the judicial system to determine whether the evidence warrants a retrial and, ultimately, whether Jolivet can finally be cleared of the charges that shaped his life.