‘It’s a disorder or something’: Sask. man on trial for murder admits he has a history of lying

WATCH: In a recorded police interview, entered as evidence in court, Andrew Rosenfeldt changed his story about what happened the night his girlfriend died.

A man on trial for murder admitted that he has a history of lying.

In a recorded police interview, entered as evidence in court, Andrew Rosenfeldt changed his story about what happened the night his girlfriend, 20-year-old Nykera Brown, died.

Brown was found shot in the head on Nov. 15, 2022, inside the Avenue P South apartment the couple shared.

The next day, Rosenfeldt is questioned by police a second time.

“I just want you to tell the truth, that’s it,” detective sergeant Rob Sampson said in the interview.

Rosenfeldt initially told Sampson that he heard a gunshot and saw two masked people run out the door.

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When police told Rosenfeldt there was no surveillance video supporting a break-in, he changed his account and said Brown shot herself.

“I just don’t want to believe it. I just don’t want to believe that she shot herself. I just made something up in my head,” Rosenfeldt said, crying.

Although his story about who fired the gun shifted, he continued to deny he pulled the trigger.

“I’m going to ask you straight up, right now, did you shoot Nykera?” Sampson asked.

“No,” Rosenfeldt replied.

Court heard that Brown was involved in a street gang. On the night she died, she was planning to go on a “mission” to punish a fellow member.

Rosenfeldt said they argued about that, and earlier, had a fight about his dating profiles.

“She went on my emails and found a couple dating sites I was on. They were on there for a really long time — since before me and her — that I don’t even use anymore,” Rosenfeldt said.

He told Sampson he had never gotten physically abusive with Brown.

Rosenfeldt hid the gun while on the phone with 911

Police later found a gun hidden in the box spring of the couple’s bed. The scope and bolt were located in a kitchen cabinet.

When shown a photo of the gun, Rosenfeldt initially said he had never seen it. About a minute later, his answer changed.

“Did you, or did you not, handle that firearm last night?” Sampson asked

“Yes,” Rosenfeldt responded.

There was a roughly 30-second pause during Rosenfeldt’s 911 call, where the dispatcher repeatedly tried to get him to speak.

Rosenfeldt said he was checking on Brown during that silence.

He later said he hid the gun in that timeframe.

“My body just told me, ‘Okay, you gotta get rid of this’ ... I know it was the wrong thing to probably do, to hide it,” Rosenfeldt said.

He told Sampson he didn’t know why he made up the home invasion, or why he lied about hiding the gun.

“I don’t know why, but even in high school I was lying. I don’t know why. It’s a disorder or something, I’m not sure,” Rosenfeldt said.

Sampson told him he did not believe his account.

“I think that you shot Nykera,” Sampson said, standing from his chair.

Defence argues suicide

It’s up to the Crown to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Rosenfeldt killed Brown.

The defence is arguing Brown died by suicide.

Two police officers testified: Cst. David Clarke, who said Brown once called police wanting to go to the hospital, and Cst. Cameron Graves, who responded to a prior suicide attempt involving Brown on a Saskatoon bridge.

After Graves finished testifying, Brown’s mother approached him in the hallway and hugged him. Court heard Graves got Brown off the ledge of the bridge.

Both sides have now closed their cases. Closing arguments are scheduled for Nov. 14.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or struggling with mental illness, resources are available:

• Canada Suicide Crisis Helpline (Call or text 988)
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (1-800-463-2338)
• Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566 or text 45645)
• Kids Help Phone [phone])
• If you need immediate assistance call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.