Judge rules former N.S. med student who killed 22-year-old eligible for parole in 2030

A Nova Scotia judge has ruled that a former medical student who killed another student during a drug deal -- and then disposed of his body -- will be eligible for parole in about seven-and-a-half years.

A Nova Scotia judge has ruled that a former medical student who killed another student during a drug deal -- and then disposed of his body -- will be eligible for parole in about seven-and-a-half years.

Justice Jamie Chipman ruled in Nova Scotia Supreme Court that William Sandeson should spend at least 15 years in prison for firing a single bullet into the head of 22-year-old physics student Taylor Samson. Both men attended Dalhousie University in Halifax.

"(Sandeson) made a reprehensible and incomprehensible choice," Chipman said in his oral decision. "Instead of entering medical school, Mr. Sandeson entered jail in the summer of 2015."

The judge said that since the 30-year-old murderer had already spent seven years and eight months in jail, Sandeson can apply to the parole board for conditional release in 2030.

"If he is released at that time or some future time, he has the potential to be a contributing member of society," Chipman said.

Sandeson testified during his jury trial that he fired his handgun at Samson in self-defence on Aug. 15, 2015, but the jury found him guilty of second-degree murder on Feb. 18.

On Thursday, Chipman refuted Sandeson's claims, saying, "I categorically reject the notion that Mr. Sandeson had any reason to fear Samson."