BRIDGEWATER, N.S. – A Nova Scotia man convicted of manslaughter in the death of his fiancee more than a year ago has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
A provincial Supreme Court jury found James Leroy Leopold guilty last month in Bridgewater in the killing of Laura Lee Robertson.
Crown attorney Leigh-Ann Bryson said Wednesday she is pleased with the sentence, adding that seven years is within the range of the Crown’s recommendation.
After the sentence was read, Robertson’s son Tim thanked the Queens RCMP detachment and residents of Liverpool for their support.
“Thank you to all the people that helped us along the way. It means so much to us,” said Robertson.
Crown attorneys had argued that Leopold intended to kill Robertson based on testimony from a forensic expert who concluded she was killed by some form of asphyxiation.
Leopold told police in a videotaped interview that he hit Robertson because she bit him during a sex act at their apartment in Liverpool on April 13, 2011, and killed her. He said he struck Robertson once in the neck while in bed.
He later told police he wrapped Robertson’s body in a blanket and took it to the woods near Greenfield.
Leopold, 33, led police to her remains two weeks later.
He pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder but was convicted of manslaughter.
Judge Kevin Coady gave Leopold credit for one year already served in jail.
(CKBW)
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