Halifax man appeals murder conviction in slaying of taxi driver from Ukraine

HALIFAX – A Halifax man convicted of killing a taxi driver more than four years ago is appealing his conviction for first-degree murder.

23-year-old Chaze Lamar Thompson was convicted by a jury last October of killing Sergei Kostin.

The 40-year-old native of Ukraine disappeared on Jan. 17, 2009, after picking up two people at a convenience store in the city.

In appeal documents Thompson claims the judge gave insufficient instruction to the jury on the question of reasonable doubt.

Kostin’s burned-out car was located in North Preston three days after he disappeared.

Police found his body two-and-a-half months later under the roots of a fallen tree.