Riverview man released on bail while appealing manslaughter conviction

New BrunswickA Riverview man found guilty of manslaughter in the death of a Moncton casino manager has been released on bail while he appeals his conviction. Michael Glaspy, 53, filed appeal paperwork the same day he was sentenced Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: Sep 16, 2025 1:21 PM EDT | Last Updated: September 16Michael Glaspy, 53, leaving the Moncton courthouse earlier this year. (Katelin Belliveau/CBC)A Riverview man found guilty of manslaughter in the death of a Moncton casino manager has been released on bail while he appeals his conviction.Michael Thomas Glaspy, 53, was sentenced on Sept. 8 to three years in prison. He was convicted following a jury trial earlier this year of causing the death of 56-year-old Rodney Frenette, who worked as a manager at Casino New Brunswick.Lawyers representing Glaspy filed a notice of appeal the same day he was sentenced, records from the Court of Appeal show. The document says Glaspy is appealing both his conviction and sentence, arguing the trial judge erred in her instructions to the jury on several issues including evaluating Glaspy’s credibility and on self-defence. The notice says Glaspy is seeking a new trial, or alternatively, to have his sentenced varied.The court records show Glaspy was released on bail on Sept. 11. He must follow a list of conditions that include a curfew, remaining in the province, abstaining from illegal drugs and alcohol and avoiding bars as well as Casino New Brunswick. Glaspy was also ordered to attend a bail review hearing Feb. 10. Glaspy’s trial heard there was an altercation between him and Frenette at a pub in the casino on March 3, 2023. Witnesses testified Glaspy had been drinking heavily at the pub, and that Frenette asked Glaspy to leave.The altercation led to Frenette hitting his head on the floor. He died 24 days later in a Moncton hospital.Crown prosecutors sought a sentence of three to five years, while Glaspy’s trial lawyer sought two years minus one day with time served in the community.Justice Christa Bourque ruled the defence recommendation was insufficient in the circumstances, sentencing Glaspy to three years in prison. ABOUT THE AUTHORShane Magee is a Moncton-based reporter for CBC.