BATTLEFORD – Two people charged with second-degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Ryan John Gatzke are headed to trial.
Co-accused Isaac Melko and Jacob Joseph Ballantyne both have case management Nov. 19 at Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench after their matters were sent there from North Battleford Provincial Court.
On Nov. 9, following a preliminary hearing in North Battleford Provincial Court, Judge Michelle Baldwin found there was enough evidence for 24-year-old Melko to stand trial on a charge of second-degree murder. Melko, who is from North Battleford, is also charged with carrying a rifle for the purpose of committing an indictable offence, possession of a rifle without a license, having his face masked with intent to commit an indictable offence, being an occupant of a Pontiac G5 knowing there was a shotgun, rifle and handgun, and break and enter of a house in Battleford with intent to commit an indictable offence.
On Oct. 27, Ballantyne’s matter was sent to Queen’s Bench. Ballantyne, who is now 26 and is from Edam, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Ryan Gatzke, pointing a handgun at co-accused Charles Michael McLean, break and enter of a house in Battleford with intent to commit an indictable offence, carrying a handgun for the purpose of committing an indictable offence, possession of a handgun without a license, having his face masked with the intent to commit an indictable offence, being an occupant of a Pontiac G5 knowing there was a shotgun, a rifle, and a handgun.
MacLean’s charges went to Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench in May and he elected to be tried by judge alone. A date for his trial hasn’t been set. He is charged with manslaughter, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, and a firearms offence.
A young offender who can’t be named in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act was also charged with second-degree murder in the death of Ryan Gatzke. He appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court Nov. 15 and his matter was adjourned to Nov. 29.
Melko is at Saskatoon Provincial Correctional Centre, Ballantyne and the young offender are at Regina Provincial Correctional Centre.
The young offender had a bail hearing in April and he was denied bail. A ban on publication of the details from the bail hearing was ordered.
Ballantyne, Melko, McLean, and the young offender all have court orders banning them from contacting each other, or any of Ryan Gatzke's family.
The charges against the four accused haven't been proven in court.
Police found a badly injured Ryan Gatzke in a house in Battleford in October 2019. He was taken to the North Battleford hospital where he was declared deceased.
