Former Winnipeg cop tells court he didn’t point gun at female colleague

WINNIPEG — A former Winnipeg police officer testified he never accidentally or intentionally pointed a shotgun at a female colleague.

Leroy Gold is on trial in provincial court on charges of pointing a firearm and uttering threats stemming from two alleged encounters with Const. Danielle Prefontaine in 2016.

“At no time did I point a firearm at Danielle or anyone else,” Gold, 42, said.

Prefontaine testified that in May of 2016 she was in a parking garage at police headquarters when Gold pointed the gun at her groin and said, “Boom, right in the crotch.”

Six months later, she told the court, she was in a room at police headquarters when Gold pressed the gun against her rib cage and said, “I know what you need.”

Defence lawyer Richard Wolson told court both encounters happened when a lot of other officers were around and questioned how no one could have witnessed it or heard the two speak.

“Shift change is a pretty busy time,” he said.

He suggested Gold made a joke about his colleague filing overtime and she got angry.

Gold had worked the same shift as Prefontaine in 2011 and told court he thought they had a good working relationship. He recalled making a joke to his colleague while holding a shotgun, but said he kept it by his side.

“It’s not a toy, it’s a weapon,” Gold said.

Prefontaine’s partner, Const. Maxime Desjardins, testified he did not see either exchange, but noticed a stark difference in Prefontaine after the times in question.

“She looked crushed,” he said. “She looked really disappointed and really hurt.”

Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

The Canadian Press