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Medical examiner cites blunt force trauma as cause of death in manslaughter trial

Mar 30, 2017 | 6:14 PM

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.”

He went on to explain that once the heart ruptured, it would begin pumping blood into the pericardial cavity where it’s situated, building pressure around itself until it couldn’t beat anymore. While he acknowledged that it’s difficult to say for certain, he estimated that it would take between a few minutes and an hour to have killed her.

The next most serious injury was a severe tearing of the right kidney, followed by a tear to her liver – both of which were also caused by blunt force trauma and which resulted in internal bleeding.

“This would require a significant blunt force,” Gofton replied when asked what it would take to inflict that level of damage.

In addition to those, Gofton reported finding a bruise on her right lung, multiple bruises on her body and what he called evidence of “manual strangulation” when examining her neck.

When presented with the account of one witness who testified that she saw Day Rider put Medicine Crane in a choke-hold and struggle with her on the ground in the early morning hours before her death, Gofton said such actions could explain some of her injuries. He noted that the heart injury would likely have been later though, as she was seen alive by another witness several hours later around 10 a.m.

During cross examination, defence lawyer Eleanor Funk asked Gofton about the toxicology report he prepared as part of the autopsy. He noted that he found indications of cocaine and marijuana in her system, along with a blood alcohol level that was between three-to-four times the legal driving limit in Alberta.

From there she asked what could potentially cause blunt force injuries, to which Gofton acknowledged that it could be anything from a punch to falling down or being involved in a motor-vehicle collision.

Funk then asked if the damage to Medicine Crane’s internal organs could have been the result of an intoxicated individual being unable to protect themselves during a fall, to which Gofton answered, “Some of the injuries could potentially be caused by falling down.” He also agreed it was possible that some of the injuries could have been caused by someone falling on top of her.

Following Gofton’s testimony, the Crown closed their case.

The defence stated that they would not be presenting any evidence in the trial, and were prepared to advance to closing arguments.

As a result, the Crown will deliver their arguments Friday morning (Mar. 31).

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