
Medical examiner cites blunt force trauma as cause of death in manslaughter trial
FORT MACLEOD – According to the medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Brittany Medicine Crane in May of 2015, she died as a result of blunt force trauma.
Dr. Jeffery Gofton delivered the autopsy findings Thursday (Mar. 30) in Fort Macleod Provincial Court, while testifying in the manslaughter trial of Allen Day Rider, Medicine Crane’s common-law spouse.
He stated that a rupture to the right side of her heart – caused by a blunt impact – was the most serious of her injuries.
“The injury to her heart likely would have been towards the end of her life,” Gofton testified. “With that injury, the period of time of survival would be limited.”