By Canadian Press

Family of N.S. student murdered in drug deal deliver impact statements in court

Apr 20, 2023 | 7:55 AM

HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia judge heard victim impact statements today during a sentencing hearing for a former Halifax medical student who murdered a 22-year-old man during a drug deal.

William Sandeson had testified in his trial before a Nova Scotia Supreme Court jury that he killed physics student Taylor Samson in self-defence on Aug. 15, 2015, and dumped his body into a river. 

He was found guilty of second-degree murder on Feb. 18 after jurors deliberated for 23 hours.

Those convicted of second-degree murder face an automatic life sentence, but a judge can set parole eligibility between 10 and 25 years.

A written statement by Samson’s grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Samson, says she misses her grandson every day and wakes up frequently at night and prays someone will find his body.

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Samson’s girlfriend at the time of his death, Mackenzie Ruthven, told the court that she felt robbed of the chance to say goodbye to him because his body was never found.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2023.

The Canadian Press