A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge has ruled that a laptop containing a Bitcoin wallet seized during a murder investigation must be given back to the family of William Sandeson, who is serving a life sentence for the 2015 killing of Taylor Samson. The court determined that the Crown did not provide sufficient evidence tying the cryptocurrency to criminal activity related to the murder case.
Judge rejects Crown’s claims
Justice John Bodurtha concluded that prosecutors failed to establish a connection between the Bitcoin and any proceeds of crime. The wallet had been at the center of a legal dispute, with an estimated value ranging from C$8,000 to more than C$200,000. During a hearing in Halifax, Sandeson, present via video, requested the return of his belongings that were confiscated during the 2015 police search of his apartment.
Bodurtha emphasized that the Crown did not meet its burden of proof regarding the Bitcoin’s use in the drug deal that led to Samson’s death or its potential involvement as offense-related property. He described its alleged role in the crime as “hypothetical” and found no concrete evidence of criminal use.
Justice Bodurtha stated that prosecutors did not demonstrate the cryptocurrency was tied to the drug transaction, proceeds of crime, or any illegal activity, underscoring that its supposed involvement was merely speculative.
In contrast, approximately $3,600 (C$5,000) in cash discovered in Sandeson’s apartment was determined to be “offense-related property” and will remain in possession of authorities.
Dispute over Bitcoin wallet’s value
At the time of Sandeson’s arrest, the Bitcoin wallet was reportedly valued between $5,800 and $7,200 (C$8,000 to C$10,000). An attorney for Samson’s family, involved in a separate wrongful death suit, noted that the cryptocurrency could now be worth more than $144,000 (C$200,000). The exact amount of Bitcoin contained in the wallet has not been made public.
The ownership and fate of the wallet became a focal point not only in criminal proceedings but also in the civil suit brought by Samson’s family. Despite the high-profile nature of the case, the court’s decision focused exclusively on whether the wallet was linked to any criminal conduct.
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Background of the murder case
When the events unfolded in August 2015, Sandeson was 23 and preparing to begin medical school at Dalhousie University. Prosecutors stated that he arranged for Samson, aged 22, to visit his apartment to complete a cannabis transaction worth C$40,000. During the meeting, Sandeson shot Samson, took the drugs and the money, and later disposed of Samson’s body in a river feeding into the Bay of Fundy. Samson’s remains have never been recovered.
Sandeson was first found guilty of first-degree murder in 2017. However, a court of appeal overturned the conviction in 2020. At a retrial in 2023, he admitted to shooting Samson but claimed self-defense. The jury ultimately convicted him of second-degree murder, leading to an automatic life sentence. He is currently incarcerated in Quebec, with eligibility for parole in 2030.
The case gained national attention due to the circumstances of the crime, the unresolved search for Samson’s remains, and the legal battle over digital assets tied to the investigation.
