Judge reserves sentencing decision for youth convicted in Gatzke death
The last individual charged in the death of Ryan John Gatzke in Battleford in 2019 was back in the Court of King’s Bench in Battleford for the start of his sentencing hearing Monday.
There is a publication ban on identifying the individual who was a 17-year-old youth at the time of the incident.
Following a trial, on May 24, 2023 Justice Heather MacMillan-Brown found the accused guilty on three charges: manslaughter, break and enter, and having a firearm while prohibited.
During the sentencing hearing, Crown prosecutor Jennifer Schmidt recommended the youth receive a 10-year sentence, while defence attorney Katherine Pocha proposed eight years instead. Both recommended he receive an adult sentence and serve his time in a federal penitentiary where he could receive programming.