Riverview man charged with manslaughter in death of casino manager

A Riverview man has been charged with manslaughter after the death of a Casino New Brunswick manager last month.

Michael Thomas Glaspy, 50, briefly appeared in Moncton provincial court by phone from Codiac RCMP holding cells on Friday morning.

He was charged with a single count of manslaughter, a homicide that's committed without intent to kill a person. 

It's alleged he killed Rodney Frenette, 56.

Frenette, the food and beverages manager at the casino, was assaulted on the job early on March 4 and died in hospital March 28.

Crown prosecutor Marine Polo consented to Glaspy's release from custody on several conditions, which include a prohibition against going to the casino and a requirement he remain in New Brunswick, except when going to work in Saskatchewan.

Glaspy told Judge Anne Richard he understood and would follow the conditions. 

The case is scheduled to return to court May 26.

'We didn't just lose my dad'

Members of Frenette's family were in court as the charge was laid. 

In an interview with Radio-Canada shortly after, Frenette's daughter Krystel Frenette said the family is devastated.

"We didn't just lose my dad Rodney, we watched him suffer in absolute pain and agony for over three weeks to the point that he couldn't open his eyes or talk," she said. 

She said it's been exhausting and traumatizing for the family.

"This was an act of violence because he woke up and went to work," she said.

Frenette's sister, Connie Frenette, said the family is happy a charge has been laid, but is not happy Glaspy has been released.

Gilles Lemieux, Glaspy's lawyer, told reporters it was too early to say how he would plead given they had yet to review the evidence in the case. 

"We have six weeks to figure it out," Lemieux said. 

Frenette's obituary says he was born in Point La Nim in northern New Brunswick and was a technology buff who spent countless hours designing computer graphics as a hobby. 

It said his love of technology led to a fascination with Disney World, which he recently visited with his wife and daughter.

Connie Frenette said he was a nice, quiet family man who was approachable and fun.

"He was the kind of person who would like anyone," she said, adding what happened was a complete shock. 

"Rodney was just a very quiet, non-confrontational person," she said.