William Sandeson, now 30, argued in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court that he killed physics student Taylor Samson in self-defense on August 15, 2015.
According to the Crown, Sandeson was heavily in debt and killed the victim with a gun because he would not pay for the nine kilos of cannabis that Taylor Samson had brought to his home.
Enlarge picture (New window)Taylor Samson was 22 years old.
Photo: Courtesy
Taylor Samson’s body was never found.
The jury members have deliberated for 23 hours since Thursday before returning their guilty verdict at Dartmouth Courthouse late Saturday afternoon.
Sandeson was convicted of first-degree murder in 2017, but the conviction was overturned by an appeals court, which ordered a new trial in 2020.
Under the Criminal Code, anyone convicted of second-degree murder must be sentenced to life in prison, but the judge can determine that they can apply for parole after serving 10 to 25 years in prison.
The victim’s relatives can speak on April 20-21. William Sandeson’s sentencing is due at this time.
According to The Canadian Press and Blair Rhodes, CBC