Samson, Sandeson had 'a big deal together,' murder trial hears

The first witness to be called by the defence in the murder trial of William Sandeson told the jury Monday of a violent home invasion that occurred just a few days before Taylor Samson disappeared.

Jordan MacEwan testified he knew both Sandeson and Samson through drug dealing — and that Sandeson had even floated him a $15,000 loan to help him get started in the business.

Sandeson has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Samson's death. The fellow Dalhousie University student went missing in August 2015. His body has never been found.

Intruders wanted drugs

MacEwan told the court he was expecting Samson to stop by his apartment on the night of Aug. 13, 2015 with $1,500 he owed MacEwan for a drug deal.

He said he believes Samson came by and tossed some money through his window, but admitted to the court he was smoking marijuana that night and doesn't remember everything clearly. 

MacEwan said he recalls being awoken around 2:30 a.m. by someone straddling him in his bed while two other people searched the apartment. He said the intruders found some of his drug stash but kept screaming at him to reveal the rest.

The intruders tried to tie him up, said MacEwan, at which point he "freaked out" and started fighting back with a police baton he grabbed from one of the attackers.

At one point, MacEwan said he was tackled while running for his front door and knocked down the steps, where he landed naked and bloody and screaming for help.

Samson, Sandeson had 'a big deal together'

MacEwan said he didn't initially tell police about the home invasion because he wanted to keep dealing drugs. He's since been convicted of trafficking and said he doesn't do it any more.

MacEwan said he's sure Samson wasn't one of the intruders. He only told police about the home invasion when they came to him while investigating Samson as a missing person. 

He testified he didn't really remember what he told police at the time, but recalls saying Samson and Sandeson had "a big deal together."

MacEwan also said he borrowed $15,000 from Sandeson near the end of 2014 to order marijuana. It took him more than a year to pay the money back, but MacEwan testified he never felt pressure from Sandeson to repay the loan.

Police officer testifies about texts

Sgt. Kim Robinson of the Halifax Regional Police testified Monday as the defence's second witness. Robinson, who's been with the force for 16 years, was a detective in the homicide section at the time of Samson's death.

She described to the court her efforts to track down the last number found on Samson's cellphone — which was eventually traced to Sandeson.

Robinson said in his first interview with police, Sandeson said he met Samson through MacEwan.

Inconsistencies discovered

Robinson said she grew concerned after reviewing Sandeson's text messages, which showed inconsistencies with his statements.

The texts showed the drug transaction with Samson to be much bigger than Sandeson had indicated to police, she testified. They also indicated Samson did show up at Sandeson's apartment, despite Sandeson telling police otherwise.

Police put Sandeson under surveillance on Aug. 18.

The trial continues on Tuesday.

The CBC's Blair Rhodes live blogged from court.