For the previous three weeks, jurors within the metropolis about 300 kilometres southeast of Calgary have heard proof in Robert Hoefman’s trial, with deliberations starting Wednesday simply after midday.
A primary-degree homicide conviction comes with a life sentence with no likelihood of parole for 25 years. A sentencing listening to will happen at a later date.
On Oct. 10, 2017, a businessman in Drugs Hat obtained a letter demanding $1 million with a risk that if he did not pay up, anyone can be murdered.
At some point later, the physique of James Satre, a random goal, was found in a Drugs Hat alley. He had been fatally stabbed.
‘We’ll present you’
Prosecutors argued the homicide was an intimidation tactic by Hoefman to scare the extortion sufferer into giving up the cash.
The extortion sufferer’s identification is protected by a publication ban.
The primary in a sequence of threatening letters arrived on the extortion sufferer’s enterprise on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving Monday, 2017.
“On Day 2, we are going to present you precisely what we are able to do,” it mentioned.
“Simply listening to that a person was brutally murdered on the radio must be sufficient,” the letter mentioned partially.
The writer of the letter wrote that they’d been watching the person and his spouse for weeks.
Letter despatched to information company
The person testified he instantly known as police and alerted his workers and household.
Within the following days, extra letters have been obtained together with one despatched to a Drugs Hat information company that claimed duty for Satre’s dying and blamed the extortion sufferer and police for not following the precise calls for.
Prosecutors introduced proof to jurors together with a search warrant executed on Hoefman’s dwelling, the place police seized a laptop computer, USB reminiscence sticks and a paper shredder.
On the electronics, police discovered copies of letters much like those despatched to the extortion sufferer.
Hoefman’s DNA was in the end discovered on the extortion letters and on the homicide scene.
Defence legal professionals Ian McKay and Heather Ferg steered the extortion sufferer’s former enterprise companion was chargeable for the crimes.
Initially, even the recipient of the letter believed his former companion was behind the extortion.
The previous companion owed lots of of 1000’s of {dollars} to the letter recipient and the 2 have been embroiled in courtroom proceedings to the purpose {that a} writ of enforcement had been issued following arbitration and a receiver appointed by way of the courts.
Meghan Grant is the courts and crime reporter for CBC Calgary. When you’ve got a great story thought or tip, you’ll be able to attain her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @CBCMeg. You may learn extra of her current tales right here:
