A Nova Scotia judge has denied bail for William Sandeson while he appeals his conviction of second-degree murder.

This is the fifth time a lawyer has argued for his release.

Justice David Farrar said Sandeson’s grounds for appeal appear to be ‘weak’.

The former Dalhousie medical student admitted to shooting fellow student, 22-year-old, Taylor Samson in self-defense during a drug deal in August 2015.

Earlier this year he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, without parole eligibility for 15 years. He is appealing both.

Justice Farrar said “Mr. Sandeson has admitted to shooting Mr. Samson, and his plea of self-defence was not successful. The only logical conclusion is the jury found he
intended to kill Mr. Samson. The evidence for conviction for second degree murder was strong. The grounds of appeal appear to be weak. This is one of those circumstances where the public interest in enforceability is very high and outweighs the reviewability interest.”

Sandeson was found guilty of second-degree murder in February 2023.

His appeal hearing is set for next June.