CHAT News File Photo

By Regan Tate

Sentencing to finish Friday

Robert Hoefman collapses during sentencing for first-degree murder

Mar 25, 2021 | 2:56 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Convicted murderer and extortionist Robert Hoefman collapsed just as Justice Dallas Miller was delivering his sentence in a Medicine Hat courtroom Thursday afternoon.

A commotion then broke out among people in the courtroom. Sheriffs rushed in to escort people from the courtroom and attend to Hoefman. Paramedics were called and the defence requested that Hoefman be excused from the proceedings for the remainder of the day.

A jury convicted Hoefman of first-degree murder and extortion following about seven hours of deliberations on Wednesday. Hoefman killed Satre in October 2017 to further his extortion plot against a Medicine Hat man. Hoefman had sent a series of letters threatening to kills dozens if he didn’t receive $1-million. The identity of the man Hoefman was extorting remains protected under a publication ban. A victim impact statement from the man’s wife said she fears being revictimized if the ban was lifted.

Before Hoefman collapsed, Crown prosecutor Connor Doyle called Hoefman’s crimes “senseless, cowardly, and motivated by greed.” Doyle says Satre’s sister Marie has lost her brother and best friend and there will “never be a satisfactory answer as to why and it’s heartbreaking”.

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In a victim impact statement, Satre’s sister described how she locks her doors and has her eyes and ears open all the time because she is afraid of being killed.

A conviction of first-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years. In a joint submission, the Crown and defence suggested a five-year custodial sentence on the extortion charge, to be served concurrently with the sentence for first-degree murder.

Hoefman did not wish to address the court but his lawyer Heather Ferg called this a tragedy for all involved. Ferg noted that Hoefman’s family were present in the court to show their continued love and support for him.

She asked the Justice to consider making a request to correctional authorities that Hoefman be placed in a facility near Medicine Hat so he can be close to his support system.

Hoefman’s sentencing is scheduled to resume on Friday morning.