William Sandeson, Dalhousie student accused of murder, to learn about bail Friday

A bail hearing that began Wednesday for William Sandeson, a Halifax university student accused of killing a fellow student, will continue Thursday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

Sandeson, 22, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Taylor Samson, who was last seen on Aug. 15 and whose body has not been found.

In court Wednesday, Sandeson's lawyer, Eugene Tan, requested his client's release.

The details of the bail hearing are protected by a publication ban. Outside court, Tan told reporters there are three grounds that must be satisfied in order for Sandeson to be freed.

"The first ground is whether he's going to make his court appearances, the second ground is whether he's going to commit any offences while he's on release and the third ground is essentially public confidence in the judicial system," Tan said.

He told reporters he will be putting forward a plan for Sandeson's release that will address all three grounds.

"We're quite confident it's a good plan," Tan said, noting that Sandeson has "a constitutional right for reasonable bail and hopefully the judge will see it that way."

Tan pointed out that Sandeson has no criminal history 

Crown prosecutor Susan MacKay sees the situation differently and is opposing Sandeson's release. She said the Crown feels he is a flight risk and at risk to reoffend.

The bail hearing heard from two Crown witnesses on Wednesday — both of them police officers. One of them will resume testimony on Thursday.

Tan said he will be calling two witnesses, people who will guarantee Sandeson's good behaviour in the community if he's released.