HALIFAX — A convicted killer from Nova Scotia is seeking a court order for the return of personal items that were seized during the investigation leading to his life sentence in prison. William Sandeson, a former medical student, was convicted of second-degree murder in February 2023. The conviction stemmed from the fatal shooting of fellow Dalhousie University student, Taylor Samson, during a drug deal in August 2015. Notably, Samson's body has never been discovered.
During the trial, Sandeson disclosed that he discarded Samson's body among garbage bags in a tidal river that empties into the Bay of Fundy, located near Truro in central Nova Scotia. This revelation added a chilling dimension to the case, as the disappearance of Samson's remains has left his family without closure.
In an affidavit submitted to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court in February, Sandeson claims he is entitled to recover seized items, including up to $300 in U.S. cash taken from a safe in his Halifax apartment. Additionally, he expressed a desire to reclaim several personal belongings that he insists could be sent to his immediate family. This request illustrates Sandeson's ongoing attempts to regain some semblance of normalcy, despite serving a life sentence.
In a related but separate legal matter, Sandeson is also pursuing a court ruling to recover a laptop that allegedly contains cryptocurrency. Reports suggest that a portion of this cryptocurrency remains inaccessible to his family, further complicating the financial implications of his criminal conviction. The legal battles surrounding the return of both cash and electronic devices highlight Sandeson's desire to maintain ties with his family, even from behind bars.
This story sheds light on the complexities of post-conviction rights and the ongoing impacts of violent crime on affected families. As the court proceedings unfold, they will undoubtedly draw public interest given the notorious nature of Sandeson's case and the unresolved tragedy surrounding Taylor Samson’s disappearance.
