A footprint left in the snow near where the last extortion note was left on Nov. 7, 2017 was sent for analysis and matched the same brand of shoe recovered the next day from the home of Robert Hoefman.
Testimony in the first-degree murder and extortion trial of a 59-year-old Medicine Hat man ended Monday with prosecutors resting their case and the defence calling no witnesses.
Robert Hoefman is accused of killing James Satre, 63, in 2017 as part of a $1-million extortion plot of another individual who can’t be identified under a publication ban.
The Crown’s theory is the homicide victim was an unsuspecting bystander who got caught up in the plot in which Hoefman killed Satre to make it known the threat to kill others in the city was serious. The first letter received by the extortion target on Oct. 10, 2017 foreshadowed the killing and threatened more.
Satre was found stabbed to death on Oct. 11, 2017 by a neighbour.
During 11 days of testimony from witnesses, the court heard from the extortion target, neighbours of Satre and family of Hoefman.
Testimony came from multiple Medicine Hat police officers who described a resource-intensive operation to apprehend the individual responsible leading up to the arrest of Hoefman on Nov. 8, 2017 at his home.
Multiple letters from the extortionist outlined how the “Wolf Pack” was a trained group of killers who would commit torture and murder against those close to the extortion target, as well as kill children if demands for the million dollars weren’t met fully.
The shakedown scheme culminated in a trail of letters which the extortion target was to follow in order to reveal the final drop spot for the million-dollar payoff located off a pathway.
A trail camera set up to monitor where a bag made to appear to contain $1 million was left captured an image of Hoefman at the scene.
Evidence presented in trying to tie Hoefman to both the murder and extortion included DNA evidence of the accused man being found on two of the letters. A pair of eyeglasses recovered from the scene of the Satre homicide had DNA from both men on them. Clothing recovered from a common area where Hoefman lived also had DNA from both men.
A forensic investigation into a laptop and USB sticks seized from Hoefman’s home also revealed digital copies of the extortion letters. A shredded letter was recovered from the home, reassembled and appeared to be consistent in style and tone as the last letter received on Nov. 7, 2017 in giving the extortion target a second chance to deliver the money.
Hoefman’s defence targeted police handling of exhibits and the potential for possible cross-contamination of items seized as part of the investigation.
It also repeatedly brought up how the investigation originally centred around a former business associate of the extortion target.
The court heard of multiple issues between the two in the months leading up to the crimes, including financial, professional and personal grievances.
The court heard of surveillance of the business associate, placing of tracking devices on that individual’s vehicles and plans to covertly enter the person’s home as part of the investigation.
That individual can’t be named to protect the identity of the extortion target.
Final arguments from Crown prosecutors Ramona Robins and Conor Doyle as well as defence counsel Ian McKay and Heather Ferg are expected Tuesday.
It’s anticipated the jury will begin deliberations Wednesday.
