First-degree murder trial of William Sandeson to begin Thursday morning

HALIFAX – After nearly two years in custody, the first degree murder trial for William Sandeson officially gets underway Thursday.

Jury selection wrapped up Wednesday with seven women and seven men chosen to hear the trial along with two alternates, and the crown is expected to deliver opening statements Thursday morning in the murder of 22-year-old Dalhousie physics student Taylor Samson.

Crown Attorney Susan MacKay says she will call roughly 30 witnesses to testify. Samson’s mom Linda Boutilier tells NEWS 95.7 she is scheduled to testify second before joining the gallery for the rest of the trial.

While Samson’s body has never been found since he was reported missing in August 2015, MacKay tells Global News that doesn’t complicate the case.

“Certainly it’s a little unusual, but it’s not unheard of at all for there to be a murder case without there being a body,” said MacKay.

Sandeson’s defence lawyer Eugene Tan reiterated Wednesday that the 24-year-old is actively involved in his own defence and said he’d even been granted special permission from the Burnside jail to use a computer.

Tan has still not said whether he’ll be calling any evidence when it’s his turn in front of the jury, or if he will have any witnesses testifying on the behalf of the defence.

The trial is expected to last 32 days.

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