Court hears appeal of Alberta man found guilty of murder, extortion

·1 min read

CALGARY — An Alberta man found guilty of trying to extort a businessman for $1 million and killing a random stranger is appealing his conviction.

Robert Hoefman was convicted of first-degree murder and extortion by a jury in Medicine Hat, Alta., in 2021.

Court heard that in 2017, after sending a number of letters to the business owner demanding the cash, Hoefman stabbed James Satre to death as a warning.

Hoefman was caught on camera near a bait bag full of cut up paper, his DNA was found on some of the letters and his prescription glasses were discovered under the victim.

Hoefman, who represented himself at a hearing today before the Alberta Court of Appeal, says much of the evidence against him was obtained illegally.

The three-member panel reserved its decision.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2023.

The Canadian Press

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