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Stobbe danced with kids soon after wife's death: officer

By: Gabrielle Giroday

Posted: 02/22/2012 10:55 AM | Last Modified: 02/22/2012 11:52 AM | Updates

Mark Stobbe (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

An RCMP officer who did surveillance on the husband of a slain woman in the days after her death said she saw the man dance around with their children.

Sandra Lee Smith, who has now retired from RCMP, was part of a surveillance team watching Mark Stobbe in early November 2000.

She told court Wednesday morning she saw Stobbe dancing around with his two children in a parking lot soon after the October 2000 death of his wife Beverly Rowbotham.

Stobbe is charged with second-degree murder for Rowbotham's death, and has pled not guilty.

Smith said she was also part of a police team that helped search the home after Rowbotham's body was discovered. She said the home was "well-stocked" with food, after she looked at areas like the kitchen.

Stobbe had told police his wife had gone to get groceries the last time he saw her.

Gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca