Psych evaluation extension given for man accused of extortion

A four-week extension for further psychiatric evaluation was granted Tuesday for a Medicine Hat man accused of violent extortion, possibly linked to a recent homicide.

Robert S. Hoefman made a brief appearance before the Medicine Hat Court by closedcircuit TV from the Calgary Remand Centre, with information from the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre stating more time is needed for a proper fitness assessment due to his state.

This extension was granted by the judge, with Hoefman’s next appearance Dec. 21.

Police announced the arrest of 55-year-old Hoefman on Nov. 9 on the single count of extortion, with his first court appearance that same day and a request granted for a warrant that covered five days of assessment at SAFPC.

Since then Hoefman has secured the legal counsel of Medicine Hat lawyer Lyndon Heidinger.

At the time of the arrest, police say the extortion included severe threats and some severe violence, and was directed at more than one person, and there were general threats toward the community.

Police began investigating the extortion on Oct. 10.

Then, on Oct. 11, the body of James Satre was found near his home, in an alleyway by the intersection of Mill Street and Smelter Avenue. Police declared Satre’s death a homicide. On Oct. 23, police received additional information potentially linking the two investigations, and also “raised concerns that there is a threat to cause death to unknown citizens.”

A possible link between the cases was publicly announced, and police issued a warning — although police now say risk has “substantially diminished.”

Police have not yet definitively confirmed the two files are connected, he said, and continue to investigate both. Hoefman is considered a “person of interest” for the homicide.

A publication ban prevents publishing information that could identify any victim(s).