Leopold, of Liverpool, is charged with the second-degree murder of Robertson. Day four of the trial continued at Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Bridgewater on May 14.
The videotaped questioning began at about 4:10 p.m. at the Chester RCMP detachment on April 26, 2011. Sgt. Greg Vardy was the primary interviewer. Staff Sgt. Thomas Townsend began questioning Leopold about seven hours in.
“You’re a strong, strong person, and I know you have the courage,” said Staff Sgt. Townsend during the interrogation, as he tried to encourage Leopold to tell the truth.
Many times during the latter portion of the interrogation, Staff Sgt. Townsend talked about Leopold’s grandparents and how much they love Leopold.
“Your grandmother, she wants you to be honest and tell the truth,” said Staff Sgt. Townsend.
He then played a recording of Leopold’s grandmother asking Leopold to tell the truth. The words on the recording were difficult to understand, but the jury followed a typed transcript.
Shortly after hearing his grandmother’s plea, Leopold told Staff Sgt. Townsend that Robertson had bitten his penis.
“Did she tell you she was going to bite your (penis)?” asked Staff Sgt. Townsend?
Leopold then broke down crying.
“It just happened so fast. I panicked.” he said.
In the interview, Leopold showed Staff Sgt. Townsend how he used his hands on Robertson’s neck. Leopold said Robertson didn’t move after he struck her in the neck. He said he then put Robertson to bed and went to sleep.
When asked if he slept, Leopold said he passed out. He said he and Robertson had drunk a “flat,” of beer – 12 beers each.
Leopold said the following day he wrapped Robertson in a blanket and put her in his grandfather’s van. He said he then drove to a wooded space off a dirt road in the Greenfield area. Leopold told Staff Sgt. Townsend he covered Robertson, kissed her and prayed. He said he covered her with sticks and other debris and placed tires around her.
Following going to the wooded area, Leopold said he went to his grandparents’. He said he later returned to Liverpool to get ready for Robertson’s birthday barbecue, which was supposed to have happened on April 15, 2011.
“I lapsed in my mind like Laura was really going to come home,” said Leopold
