by PAUL RAYNER

The legal side of a shocking shooting incident in Boissevain a year and a half ago is now over, although the healing for those involved continues.

On March 12 in the Court of Queen’s Bench in Brandon, Gary Joseph Rondeau was convicted of criminal negligence causing death for supplying the gun that killed Dennis Wayne “Chico” Lessard on October 2, 2005. When Rondeau’s time of 17 months already served in custody, taken as double time, is taken into consideration, his sentence carries 3 ½ years of further prison time.

According to Roxanne Goodon, who along with husband Daniel has been caring for Lessard’s two sons since his death and who read an impact statement at the hearing, Rondeau was originally to plead guilty to a manslaughter charge. However, due to the fact he did not admit to pulling the trigger, the judge would not allow the plea. After discussion from the two legal teams, it was decided to go with the criminal negligence charge, which prevented a full trial. Rondeau had originally been charged with second degree murder in the incident.

Goodon, who said the sentencing hearing was originally scheduled for three days, said it was a difficult ordeal for all involved, including Lessard’s two sons.

“It was hard,” she stated. “It was hard on the boys seeing him (Rondeau). None of us had seen him since, and they were shocked at how much he had aged, to see him in shackles.”

During the court appearance, the attorneys went through the basics of the incident that shocked the entire community. Lessard and Rondeau were neighbours on Aikman Street, and Lessard’s son, who would place the 911 call, was in his home when he heard a gunshot next door where his father was visiting. Looking out the window, he saw Rondeau carrying a gun to a trailer in the yard. When asked, Rondeau claimed Lessard was at a local motel. After the boy returned from his search for his father, Rondeau lied again saying he did not know where Lessard was.

When police arrived, they found Rondeau sweeping broken glass off the front landing of his house, and discovered blood and hair on a broken window. They later found Lessard’s body in the cellar of the house and the rifle in a trailer.

The two were alone in the house together when the shooting incident occurred. According to the defense, the pair had been drinking together for hours. They claimed Lessard was suicidal, and Rondeau tried to use reverse psychology to dissuade him, eventually bringing out the .303 rifle. According to the defense account, Rondeau passed out, waking to find Lessard holding the rifle barrel in his mouth and then the gun went off. He claimed to have hidden the body so the boys would not see their dead father.

The suicidal claim is one that does not sit well with Goodon.

“I don’t believe for a minute he committed suicide or wanted to,” said Goodon, explaining that they were also Lessard’s employers and had recently given him a bonus and sent him to Ontario to see family he had not seen for a long time. “He was so excited because he had seen his family. We shocked him when we told him we were sending him and his family expected him. He was happy.”

She added he was planning to move into a new house with his sons and girlfriend.

“Life was going good for him.”

Although shocked by the quick result and the change in charge, Goodon said the end result is probably quite similar to what the manslaughter sentence would have been, with at least some responsibility being held by the court. With an actual trial, no one can be certain of the result. People involved can put at least this part of the ordeal behind them, and move the healing forward.

“I am glad it went as quickly as it did. It is heartbreaking and frustrating, but I am relieved its over.”

“The boys are back in counseling,” she added. “We know people care. We’re going to make sure the boys are OK and they get the help they need.”