Convicted murderer William Sandeson’s appeal hearing set for next year

A former medical student who was found guilty of killing a fellow Dalhousie classmate will have his appeal heard in January.

Sandeson, 26, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Taylor Samson in August 2015.

READ MORE: Case of convicted killer William Sandeson to be back at court next year

Samson’s body was never been found. He was last seen alive on video, walking into Sandeson’s south end Halifax apartment.

Sandeson is currently serving a life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years. He is asking for a new trial on the lesser charge of second-degree murder.

WATCH: William Sandeson found guilty of first-degree murder in Taylor Samson’s death

2:12 William Sandeson found guilty of first-degree murder in Taylor Samson’s death

Sandeson filed a notice of appeal shortly after his conviction. The grounds for the appeal are that Sandeson was detained prior to his first interview and denied a right to counsel, that his cellphone was illegally searched and seized, and that his apartment was illegally searched.

He also said that information shared by Bruce Webb — a private investigator hired by the defence but allegedly helped the police in making their case — violated his solicitor-client privilege.

READ MORE: Convicted Dalhousie killer William Sandeson appeals murder conviction

According to the Executive Office of the Nova Scotia Judiciary, Sandeson’s appeal will be heard on Jan. 20 and 21.