Bail hearing set for man accused of first-degree murder, extortion

By Jeremy Appel on October 19, 2018.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

A man accused of murder and extortion made a brief court appearance Thursday.

Robert Hoefman, 46, appeared in Medicine Hat Provincial Court via closed-circuit TV from the local remand centre.

His bail hearing is scheduled for Nov. 30 at the Court of Queen’s Bench.

Defence lawyer Greg White said he received a large amount of disclosure from the Crown Wednesday evening, with more to come.

Hoefman’s regular court appearance was adjourned to Dec. 6.

“I’m hoping by that day after going through disclosure … we’ll be in a position to a hold a preliminary inquiry,” said White.

Since Hoefman is charged with murder, he will automatically be tried by a judge and jury at the Court of Queen’s Bench.

Police began investigating the extortion charge on Oct. 10, 2017.

The next day, 64-year-old James Satre’s body was found in an alleyway near his home by the intersection of Mill Street and Smelter Avenue.

Police announced the two investigations were possibly linked after receiving “additional information” Oct. 23.

Hoefman was arrested for the extortion charge Nov. 9.

The charge of first-degree murder was laid in January, with police alleging the murder was used to “strike fear” into the extortion victims.

Police added that Satre appeared to be a “victim of circumstance and location,” as he did not seem to be connected to the accused or extortion victims in any matter.

When announcing the connection between the two investigations, police said they were “concerned that there is threat to cause the death of unknown citizens.”

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