BATTLEFORD – A jury trial for a man accused of killing 27-year-old Ryan John Gatzke in 2019 has been set for next year.
The trial for Jacob Joseph Ballantyne, now 27, is scheduled to start in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench in June 2023. A pre-trial conference is set for July 22.
Police say they found a badly injured Gatzke in a house on the 100 block of 26th Street West in the town of Battleford on Oct. 18, 2019. He was taken to the city of North Battleford hospital where he was declared deceased. Following an eight-month investigation, RCMP Major Crimes Unit North arrested Ballantyne, Charles Michael Lewis McLean, Isaac Melko, and a young offender who can't be identified in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Ballantyne, who is from Edam, was charged with second-degree murder, break and enter into a home in Battleford with intent to commit an offence, carry a handgun for the purpose of committing an offence, wearing a face mask with intent to commit an offence, pointing a handgun, possession of a handgun without a license, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing there was a firearm, and possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.
In March, Melko, 24, from North Battleford, elected to be tried by judge alone in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench. The trial has been set for February 2023. He is charged with second-degree murder, break and enter into a home in Battleford with intent to commit an offence, carry a handgun for the purpose of committing an offence, wearing a face mask with intent to commit an offence, pointing a handgun, possession of a handgun without a license, and possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.
In March, 23-year-old McLean was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. With time served while remanded, McLean had just over 600 days left to serve.
The 18-year-old young offender was charged with second-degree murder, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable act, wearing a mask with intent to commit an offence, carrying a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a firearm without a license, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, and possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.
