Watch William Sandeson's interview with Halifax police - Action News
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Nova Scotia

Watch William Sandeson's interview with Halifax police

William Sandeson is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Taylor Samson, a fellow Dalhousie University student.

Sandeson tells police that two other men threatened murder victim 'to scare him out of dealing'

Halifax police talk to William Sandeson

7 years ago
Duration 8:30
Accused killer William Sandeson speaks

The jury in the first-degree murder trial of Dalhousie University student William Sandeson has seen what are believed to be the last images of Taylor Samson while he was alive.

Sandeson is accused of killing Samson, a fellow student,in August2015.

Video that police retrieved from a home security system Sandeson had installed at his apartment in south-end Halifax was played Thursdayin Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

Taylor Samson is seen on surveillance video outside the apartment of William Sandeson, the man accused of killing him. (CBC)

The system included a camera aimed at the hallway outside his second floor apartment, a camera pointed down the stairwell and a third camera overlooking the parking lot outside.

The video police collected was taken the night of Aug. 15, 2015. It shows Sandeson heading up the hallway, then returning a short time later with Samson in tow. Samson can be seen carrying a large black duffel bag. Court has been told that bag contained 20 pounds of marijuana, which Sandeson had agreed to buy for $40,000 cash.

Sandeson is seen on a video of his interrogation by police. (CBC)

There is no video showing Samson leaving the apartment and his body has never been found.

During his second round of questioning at police headquarters, Sandeson offered an explanation for Samson's disappearance. He said two other men were in the apartment to confront Samson.

"Just to scare him out of dealing," Sandeson tells the officer questioning him, according to a video of his interrogation played forthe jury.

When asked why, Sandeson adds: "I know he owed money."

Sandeson tellsthe officer that the two men wore full bodysuits that concealed their faces. They told him to go into his bedroom and shut off the video security system. He said when he did, he heard a shot.

"They put Taylor in the bag with the weed," Sandeson tellsRCMP Const. Jody Allison.

"How do you know that they put him in the bag?" Allison asks.

"They left the bag there," Sandeson replies.

Sandeson saidthe two men then picked up the bag by each end and left, taking Samson and the drugs with them.

William Sandeson is charged with first-degree murder. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press)

As the interrogation nears the end, police tellSandeson that evidence they've recovered from his apartment leaves holes in his story. That evidence includes the video showing Samson and Sandeson together in the hallway. Sandeson had initially told police that Samson failed to show up that night.

The jury was shown additional security video from Sandeson's apartment, including images of Sandeson making several trips carrying bags and boxes. The video shows him loading those objects into the trunk of his car.

As the interrogation ends, the officers tell Sandeson he's being charged with murder. They seize his clothes and lead him out of the interview room.

When the trial resumes Monday, the defence is expected to begin its cross-examination of the lead investigator in the case.

CBC's Blair Rhodeslive blogged from the courtroom.