Nova Scotia Court Grants Return of Bitcoin Wallet to Family of Convicted Murderer

Judge Rules on Bitcoin Wallet Return

A Nova Scotia judge has ruled in favor of returning a Bitcoin wallet to the family of William Sandeson, a man currently serving a life sentence for the 2015 murder of fellow student Taylor Samson. The presiding Justice, John Bodurtha, determined that the prosecution had failed to establish a connection between the cryptocurrency and the crime, stating that the potential use of Bitcoin in the drug-related incident was merely speculative.

Details of the Court Ruling

Sandeson attended the court session virtually, having previously petitioned for the return of personal items seized during a police search of his residence following his arrest in 2015.

While the judge ordered the return of the wallet containing the Bitcoin, which Sandeson claims has a current value between C$8,000 and C$10,000 (approximately C$144,000 - C$200,000), he ruled that $3,600 (C$5,000) in cash found during the search would not be returned, labeling that amount as related to the offense.

Background of the Crime

The crime traces back to August 15, 2015, when Sandeson, 23 at the time and on the verge of starting medical school, arranged to buy cannabis from 22-year-old Samson for C$40,000. The prosecution's case established that Sandeson shot Samson, took the drugs and cash, and subsequently disposed of the body in a river, with Samson's remains never recovered.

Sandeson was initially convicted of first-degree murder in 2017, but that verdict was overturned in 2020. In a retrial held in 2023, he acknowledged he shot Samson but claimed it was in self-defense. Ultimately, he was found guilty of second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence. Sandeson is incarcerated in Quebec and can apply for parole in 2030.