Man guilty of manslaughter

Judge rules beating caused death of Brittany Medicine Crane

“He beat her, and he caused her death.”

That was Judge Eric Peterson’s finding Wednesday when he ruled that Allen Day Rider killed Brittany Medicine Crane after he beat her May 21, 2015 following a drunken birthday party in Standoff.

And although defence suggested during Day Rider’s trial in March that Medicine Crane could have died from injuries sustained when she fell while intoxicated, Peterson said such an inference is unreasonable given the extent of her injuries.

After Peterson found Day Rider guilty of manslaughter Wednesday in Fort Macleod provincial court, Medicine Crane’s family and friends applauded and burst into tears, many sobbing uncontrollably.

“I’m happy that justice is going to be served,” Medicine Crane’s mother, Dorothy, said outside the courthouse. “Now I can rest easy.”

Medicine Crane died of multiple blunt force injuries to her head, neck, torso and extremities, but it was the injuries to her heart, liver and a kidney that most likely led to her death. Bleeding from the heart into her body cavity alone would likely have killed her within a hour, Peterson said.

During the trial court was told Medicine Crane and Day Rider were seen arguing and fighting several times May 20 and May 21, 2015 during a drunken birthday party for the couple’s two-year old daughter. Both had been drinking and consuming drugs with other party goers, and at one point they were embroiled in a physical confrontation on the floor where Day Rider was seen choking Medicine Crane.

One of Medicine Crane’s injuries was a broken bone in her neck, likely caused by strangulation.

Although Medicine Crane was killed after the party, and no one witnessed her tragic death, Peterson said Day Rider was the only person in the couple’s home when family members discovered her body in her bed on the afternoon of May 21. Day Rider, who was either getting changed or dressed, had blood on his face, as well as scrapes and scratches.

When Day Rider left the home after being confronted by Dorothy, all he said was “I’m sorry. I’m sorry Dorothy, I’m sorry.” One of several witnesses who testified during the trial told court Day Rider told him, “I beat her up, she beat me up.” Another witness said he heard Day Rider threaten Medicine Crane when he told her, “you’re dead.”

Day Rider, who was released on bail in May 2016, was taken into custody following Peterson’s finding of guilt. A pre-sentence report was ordered and the matter will be back in Fort Macleod provincial court July 26 to review the report and hear sentencing submission by the Crown and defence.