RCMP investigator tells Moncton manslaughter trial of assault captured on video
Cpl. Andrew Paynter says surveillance footage shows an altercation between Rodney Frenette and the accused
An RCMP officer and former lead investigator with the major crimes unit in Moncton testified Wednesday that he saw surveillance footage of Michael Glaspy assaulting Rodney Frenette and then being escorted out of Casino New Brunswick two years ago.
The 53-year-old Glaspy, of Riverview, is on trial for manslaughter in connection with Frenette's death.
Frenette, 56, was working as food and beverage manager at the casino when Glaspy allegedly assaulted him March 4, 2023. Frenette died in hospital 24 days later.
RCMP Cpl. Andrew Paynter was the first to testify in the trial, which is expected to last four weeks.
He outlined what he saw on video surveillance of an altercation between Glaspy and Frenette at the casino's Hub City Pub on March 4.
Paynter said he saw Frenette fall to the floor after the incident and stay down. He said the altercation seemed to last about 30 seconds, and Glaspy was outside the building within 15 minutes.
Paynter said the Codiac RCMP handed the file over to the major crimes unit in early March, and he began his own investigation by reviewing footage he obtained from the casino and interviewing witnesses.
The major crimes unit handles serious cases such as homicide and other high-profile crimes.
Paynter described reviewing about 46 camera angles, and focusing on nine that follow Glaspy's movements from the time of the altercation with Frenette in the early hours of March 4.
Although the videos in question were not shown during his testimony, Paynter said the footage shows Glaspy assaulting Frenette in the pub and being escorted out of the building by security. He said more footage depicts police officers arriving on scene and detaining Glaspy shortly after.
During his investigation, Paynter said, it became clear to him that Frenette had been admitted to the hospital because of Glaspy's alleged assault.
Paynter said he later charged Glaspy with manslaughter because his investigation led him to believe that Frenette "had succumbed to those injuries."
During cross-examination, defence lawyer Gilles Lemieux asked Paynter to describe Glaspy's demeanour before the altercation March 4.
He said that Glaspy seemed happy, that he was bumping into people while dancing, and that at one point he leaned closely into the band that was playing.
When asked whether he seemed intoxicated, Paynter said he couldn't tell from the footage.
Lemieux then asked Paynter whether any security personnel had intervened in any of Glaspy's actions prior to the altercation. Paynter said he didn't see security officers in the pub at the time.
Crown prosecutor Patrick Wilbur also called Craig Davidson as a witness.
Davidson said he was working the overnight shift as a supervisor in the camera-monitoring room when the altercation took place.
During his testimony, the Crown showed a still frame of security footage on large screens in court, showing part of the casino floor.
In his cross-examination, Lemieux asked Davidson what he remembers seeing on the video surveillance when security alerted him to the incident going on in the pub that night.
"I saw a group of people on the ground, I believe."
Lemieux asked him who he could identify in the video.
"I was pretty sure that it was Rodney who was on the ground," Davidson said, referring to Frenette.
Lemieux then asked him if he could see Glaspy in the frame.
"I don't recall," he replied.
Another Crown witness, Melissa Fitzsimmons, was working in the disclosure unit of the Codiac RCMP at the time of the investigation.
Fitzsimmons, who testified virtually from Alberta, said she was asked by Paynter to enhance the casino surveillance video by lightening it to improve its contrast. She said she did so.
Crown outlines what jury should expect
Before Paynter's testimony on Wednesday, Wilbur laid out the Crown's roadmap for the trial, telling jurors they will see the surveillance footage of the altercation between Glaspy and Frenette.
"You'll be able to watch it for yourselves … to determine what actually occurred on the floor of the Hub City Pub," Wilbur said.
He also said the Crown intends to enter into evidence a statement Frenette gave to RCMP while in hospital, and another that Glaspy gave to RCMP shortly after his arrest.
In total, the Crown expects to call 17 witnesses.
After Paynter's testimony, Justice Christa Bourque discharged a juror, but the reason isn't reportable.The juror will not be replaced because there are still 13 — one more than is needed to deliberate at the end of the trial.
The trial is set to continue on Thursday.
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