Psych evaluation completed for man accused of violent extortion, possibly linked to murder

By Peggy Revell on December 22, 2017.

A psychological evaluation has been completed for a Medicine Hat man accused of violent extortion, possibly linked to a recent homicide.

Robert S. Hoefman appeared before the Medicine Hat Courthouse Thursday by closed-circuit TV from the Calgary Remand Centre, with defence requesting an adjournment to Jan. 10.

Defence said it had just received the assessment from the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre, and needed to go over it with their client.

Police announced the arrest of 55-year-old Hoefman on Nov. 9 on the single count of extortion, with his first court appearance that same day and a request granted for a warrant which covered five days of assessment at SAFPC.

A four-week extension to this warrant was granted on Nov. 21 as more time was needed for a proper fitness assessment due to his state.

Police began investigating the extortion on Oct. 10.

Then, on Oct. 11, the body of James Satre was found near his home, in an alleyway by the intersection of Mill Street and Smelter Avenue. Police declared Satre’s death a homicide. On Oct. 23, police received additional information potentially linking the two investigations, and also “raised concerns that there is a threat to cause death to unknown citizens.”

At the time of Hoefman’s arrest, police said the extortion included severe threats and some severe violence, and was directed at more than one person, and there were general threats toward the community.

Police have not yet definitively confirmed the two files are connected — but have told the News that they continue to make progress on the homicide investigation and expect to be able to share updated information for the public in the New Year.

A publication ban prevents publishing information that could identify any victim(s).