BRIDGEWATER, N.S. – A jury has found a Nova Scotia man accused of killing his fiancee guilty of manslaughter.
James Leroy Leopold pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Laura Lee Robertson.
Crown attorneys argued before the provincial Supreme Court in Bridgewater that Leopold intended to kill Robertson based on testimony from a forensic expert who concluded she was killed by some form of asphyxiation.
But the defence said the Liverpool man had no choice but to act quickly after Robertson bit his penis during a drunken sexual act on April 13, 2011.
James Leopold, the convicted man’s father, said he believed the jury’s decision was just.
“I think justice was served. It’s sad on both sides,” he said outside the court.
Crown attorney Leigh-Ann Bryson said she was prepared for a finding of guilty on the lesser charge based on the evidence presented during the trial.
Defence lawyer Chris Manning said the jury reached the right verdict.
Leopold will be sentenced on June 27.
(CKBW)
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