Crown abandons appeal of Nova Scotia RCMP constable's sexual assault acquittal
The Crown has dropped its appeal of the August 2024 acquittal of Nova Scotia RCMP Constable William McNutt on sexual assault charges stemming from a 2019 incident. The 41-year-old officer, now suspended without pay, still faces separate sexual assault allegations involving other women.
The Crown has abandoned its appeal of the acquittal of Nova Scotia RCMP Constable William (Billy) McNutt on sexual assault charges related to a 2019 encounter.
McNutt, 41, of Lantz, stood trial in Amherst provincial court on two summary charges concerning a July 31, 2019, incident with a woman in his pickup truck at a beach in Northport, Cumberland County. On Aug. 5, Judge Del Atwood found McNutt not guilty on both counts, ruling that the evidence did not establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the complainant did not consent.
Crown attorney Mary Ellen Nurse filed an appeal of the verdict in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Amherst on Aug. 20, alleging misapprehension of facts and incorrect application of law. However, Nurse filed a notice of abandonment in Supreme Court on Oct. 13. Public Prosecution Service spokeswoman JoAnn Alberstat stated the Crown concluded there were no grounds for appeal after further review.
McNutt joined the RCMP in 2021 after playing professional basketball in Europe. He was suspended with pay in January 2024 following allegations by a civilian member regarding a sexual assault in early 2023.
In July 2024, the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) charged McNutt with three counts of sexual assault, one count of overcoming resistance by choking, and one count of uttering threats. The charges alleged six offences committed in Enfield between Dec. 31, 2022, and Feb. 9, 2023. In July 2025, SIRT added a fourth count of sexual assault involving the same woman. Those charges were stayed in Shubenacadie provincial court in May of this year after a judge ruled it had taken too long for the case to get to trial.
McNutt is now suspended without pay. He still faces a charge of sexual assault stemming from an encounter with a third woman in May 2024. That trial was adjourned from August, and lawyers are due back in court on Nov. 2.
Publication bans protect the identities of all three complainants.