Samson murder case put over until October
Posted Sep 24, 2015 11:09:34 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – The lawyer for a Dalhousie University medical student charged with first degree murder in the death of another student appeared in court on his behalf Thursday morning, where the case was put over until October.
Lawyer Eugene Tan appeared on behalf of William Sandeson, 22, who is charged in the death of third-year Dalhousie physics student Taylor Samson.
Court documents show police believe Samson was selling four pounds of marijuana when he left his South Street fraternity house on Aug. 15, the last night he was seen.
None of the allegations have been proven in court, and Samson’s remains have not been found.
Dates were expected to be set for a preliminary inquiry in Sandeson’s trial on Thursday, but Tan said he had just received heavily redacted evidence on Thursday where all witnesses names were removed.
Crown Attorney Susan MacKay said this was simply a clerical error, as a police officer preparing documents for disclosure mistakenly blacked-out witnesses names instead of just their addresses and phone numbers.
The case was put over until Oct. 23, where a status update will be given on Tan’s review of disclosure and potentially set dates for a preliminary inquiry.
Tan said he expects the hearing would take about two weeks to complete.
Sandeson will appear in Nova Scotia Supreme Court for a two-day bail hearing on Oct. 21 and 22.
Earlier this month, Halifax Regional Police spent seven days searching a property in Truro that belongs to Sandeson’s immediate family searching for evidence in the case, as well as another property near the Truro Mall.
During the search police had said they found several items of interest, but would not elaborate what those items were because of the ongoing investigation.
Tan earlier accused police of mishandling the alleged murder scene earlier this month, when he found out his client’s Henry Street apartment in Halifax had been renovated.
Police maintain the scene was handled properly and according to protocol, but declined to comment on specifics of the case.
Police are asking anyone who may have any information about Samson’s disappearance and murder is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
