N.S. murderer’s cryptocurrency stash rules out free legal aid for appeal
globalnews.caA judge has ruled that a stash of cryptocurrency belonging to a convicted Nova Scotia murderer means he won’t be receiving free legal aid for an appeal.
Justice Cindy Bourgeois says in decision released today that William Sandeson — a former medical student who killed another student during a 2015 drug deal — had about $640,000 in bitcoin and cash when he was jailed.
Last year, Sandeson appealed his conviction of second-degree murder in the death of Taylor Samson but was refused funding for a lawyer by the province’s legal aid agency.
In her decision denying his appeal of that refusal, the Court of Appeal judge accepts that Sandeson has expenses to pay — including a lawsuit claim from the victim’s family — but concludes “a significant balance” would remain available to him.
Bourgeois writes that Sandeson didn’t prove his debts would stop him from obtaining counsel, or that he has exhausted all other sources of financial assistance.
Her decision notes that Sandeson had bitcoin worth “at least $443,624,” and another $198,000 in cash at the time he was jailed.
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