SECOND DEGREE: FROM MED SCHOOL TO MURDER by Kayla Hounsell
⭐️ rating: 7.5/10

read if you like:
📚 non-fiction
👮‍♂️ true crime procedurals
📍 Halifax, Nova Scotia

summary:
This book follows Will Sandeson, a promising medical school student, about to start his training, when he is charged with murder if Taylor Samson. Fair warning, this is book two of a two book set. I hadn’t read book 1, which was seemingly okay, but I do recommend checking that one out first if you’re interested in this crime! It takes place in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2017, and the book follows Will from his upbringing to the crime itself, through both trials. It centers mainly on the trials, and for anyone who is interested in legal procedurals and the justice system in Canada, this book is fascinating. It focuses around the proceedings and legal strategies of both the defense and prosecution, overlaid by Will himself and the approach he and his team took to pleading his innocence. Even though the author is friends with the victims family, it’s written surprisingly unbiased, letting the reader come to their own opinions on Will’s rationale and ultimate guilt.

If you’re interested in Nova Scotia, the Canadian justice system or this crime itself, I highly recommend this book, which is out now! Thank you to Nimbus Publishing and Net Galley for a copy to review!

I was aware of the case but hadn't followed the details closely until 'First Degree' was published .The murder occured in 21015, and the book "First Degree" chronicled the trial held in 2017, The book was written by award-winning CBC journalist, Kayla Hounsell. 'Second Degree' is an expanded and updated account that includes the details of the second trial. The crime was meticulously researched by the author, with new additions made to the earlier book. 'First Degree' was a bestselling true-crime story about a cold-blooded murder. The crime took place in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The author closely follows interviews, police investigation, witness statements and the court trial. The reporting is sensitive without sensationalizing the heart-breaking, apalling event.

Two intelligent young men were involved in a drug deal that ended with murder. Their promising future for both the men was destroyed. Will Sanderson's ambition was to become a sports doctor. He was raised on his parent's farm near Truro, NS, and came from a respected family. He worked in a residence for disabled people. He studied medicine for a year in the Caribbean, was a member of the Dalhousie track and field teams and just got accepted to start classes to attend the highly rated medical school. Taylor Sampson was from Amherst, NS,,close to the NB border He was studying physics at Dalhousie and was into sports.. Both men were in their earlier 20s, and when Taylor disappeared, They should have enjoyed brilliant futures, but a dispute over drugs left Taylor Sampson dead and his body has never been recovered, Will was charged with first degree murder. He has been in prison since 2015 serving a life sentence.. After appealing the charge, he was granted a new trial for second degree murder.and the trial began in 2023. This charge comes with an automatic life sentence, but he could be eligible for possible parole in 2030.. Families and friends remain shattered by what happened.
Proceeds from the book will go to a scholarship fund for an Amherst student . Thanks to NetGalley and Nimbus Publishing for this well-written and shocking true-crime story. The book is available now.