(Marion County, FL) This morning, 33-year-old Leslie Boileau Jr. was sentenced for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, 25-year-old Polina Wright. Weighing both Boileau’s previous background as a law enforcement officer and victim impact statements given by Wright’s family, Judge Timothy McCourt sentenced Boileau to 25 years, 8 months, and 20 days in prison. The unique sentence was rendered in thoughtful homage to the victim, who was exactly 25 years, 8 months, and 20 days old the night she was killed.
Last month, Boileau was found guilty by jurors, after a multi-day trial, of Manslaughter by Use of a Firearm – a conviction that could have resulted in a maximum sentence of 30 years, as allowed by law.
“This case reiterates the very real consequences of negligence and reckless actions,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “I cannot think of a more just sentence to hold this offender accountable and pay respects to the victim and her grieving family.”
On September 19, 2024, around 11 p.m., the dispatch center of the Ocala Police Department (OPD) received a 9-1-1 call from the defendant claiming that his girlfriend, later identified as Wright, was shot in the head while cleaning guns. First responders arrived at the home located off SE 32nd Ave. in Ocala, FL. Upon their arrival, they observed Boileau standing behind a chair in which the victim sat, holding the victim. Emergency medical services personnel began rendering aid to the victim, who, unfortunately, was promptly pronounced deceased on scene.
During initial questioning, Boileau, a law enforcement officer at the time, stated he and his girlfriend had gone out to dinner earlier that night and consumed a few alcoholic beverages. Once they arrived back home, Boileau stated the victim wanted him to teach her about cleaning and using the firearms. During this, Boileau claimed he had cleared the weapon the victim was handling before she pointed it at him and dry-fired. At that time, he picked up a semi-automatic rifle before pointing it at the victim and firing the weapon. Boileau stated the gun was dry-fired the first time, before shooting an actual round, fatally injuring the victim.
After collecting evidence from the scene, conducting a trajectory analysis of the crime, coupled with the defendant’s own admissions, Boileau was arrested and charged.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Tucker O’Neill and Richard Buxman.
Published on 11/4/2025.