Medical student found guilty

STUDENT FOUND GUILTY IN HALIFAX MURDER TRIAL

A Halifax medical student has been found guilty of firstdegree murder in the death of 22-year-old Taylor Samson.

William Sandeson was charged two years ago in the slaying of Samson, a fellow Dalhousie University student whose body has never been found.

The jury deliberated for a total of 22 hours before returning to the Nova Scotia Supreme Courtroom to render its verdict.

There were tears and cheers from members of Samson’s family after the decision was announced. Sandeson remained stonefaced as the jury of six men and six women was polled to affirm their agreement with the verdict.

“Turn around and take a bow, Billy,” Samson’s mother, Linda Boutilier, yelled as Sandeson was escorted out of the courtroom.

“Tell us where he is,” another voice shouted from the gallery.

The trial heard Samson went to Sandeson’s apartment on Aug. 15, 2015, to sell him nine kilograms of marijuana for $40,000.

Court heard Samson was last seen alive on video walking into Sandeson’s apartment shortly before 10:30 p.m.

After the verdict, Boutilier told reporters that she would sleep soundly for the first time since her son went missing 22 months ago.

“I thank the good lord that the truth has finally come out,” Taylor’s grandmother Elizabeth Samson said, her voice quivering with emotion. “I do feel sorry for his (Sandeson’s) family that they brought up a man like him. I would be heartbroken.”