BATTLEFORD – A young offender charged with second-degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Ryan Gatzke agreed on Monday in Battleford Court of King's Bench to be sentenced as an adult.
A four-day trial for the young offender, who was 17 at the time of Gatzke’s murder in October 2019, was held in April 2023. Justice Heather MacMillan-Brown found him guilty of the lesser included offence of manslaughter, break and enter, and possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order.
His sentencing hearing was to be held in October 2023 but it was postponed until Jan. 22. Senior Crown Prosecutor Jennifer Schmidt was also expected to argue before the court today to have him sentenced as an adult.
The Crown is seeking a 10-year prison sentence, whereas defence lawyer Katherine Pocha asked the court to hand down an eight-year prison sentence. With time-and-half credit for time served while waiting for trial, the young offender will have five-and-a-half years knocked off his sentence.
Justice MacMillan-Brown reserved her decision on how many years to sentence the young offender. A conference call will be held on Jan. 29 to set a date.
During the sentencing hearing Monday, Schmidt asked Justice MacMillan-Brown to lift the ban on publication, which she granted.
Three other people have been sentenced in Gatzke’s murder and there was a ban on publication of the evidence until the last person went through the court system. The youth is the last person to be sentenced.
In June 2023, Jacob Ballantyne was sentenced to eight years after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He was originally charged with second-degree murder.
In February 2023, Isaac Melko was sentenced to 12 years. He was charged with second-degree murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter.
In March 2022, Charles McLean pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison.
RCMP found Gatzke in his home in the 100 block of 26 Street West in Battleford on Oct. 18, 2019. He was badly injured and taken to the North Battleford hospital by EMS where he was later declared deceased.
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This story by SASKTODAY first published on Jan. 22, 2024.
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