Rylan Twigg and his mother Lorilee White Quills exit the Lethbridge Courthouse Tuesday afternoon

By Lara Fominoff

Manslaughter case against Rylan James Twigg dismissed

Oct 8, 2019 | 4:56 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A 25-year-old Lethbridge man, on trial for his role in the death of a 45-year-old man, grinned and hugged his mother, as he was let out of a prisoner box in a courtroom Tuesday afternoon (Oct.8).

Rylan James Twigg was facing a charge of manslaughter, after Kenrick First Rider was found dead in the basement of a home in north Lethbridge Nov. 27, 2017. According to a Lethbridge Police Statement, they believe the 45-year-old had been involved in a verbal dispute with two other men, which escalated to a physical altercation that resulted in First Rider suffering fatal injuries. Twigg’s mother had been involved in a relationship with the 45-year-old.

Twigg turned himself in to Lethbridge Police the evening after First Rider died. He was arrested, and later gave a statement and taped confession. Both were both deemed inadmissible by Justice Johnna Kubik.

In her reasons, Kubik outlined the circumstances under which Twigg gave his confession, noting that not only was it reasonable to find that the 25-year-old suffered from the effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and other cognitive deficits, he had also consumed a 40 ounce bottle of vodka and snorted two fentanyl tabs in the few hours prior to his arrest.

Kubik also said Twigg had suffered a recent head injury, and had bleeding, horizontal cuts on his arms. He mentioned suicide and told police he had not taken medication for schizophrenia. During his confession, he spent nearly nine minutes in a bathroom, retching and vomiting while suffering from a hangover and the withdrawal effect of opioids.

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Lethbridge Police Cst. Anthony Tupper testified that he believed Twigg was cognitively normal and simply needed to sober up. He did not ask for a statement until 14-15 hours after Twigg was arrested.

However, she said the officer should have been alerted to the young man’s cognitive issues, and noted several “concerning” incidents, including Twigg’s inability to follow simple analogies, his unusual dependence on his mother to “speak for” him, that he didn’t understand what (the initial charge of) second degree murder meant, and that the two could be friends in the future.

She noted that Twigg was highly vulnerable, suggestable, and gullible and had no understanding that what he said to police would be used against him.

Outside of the courthouse, Defense Lawyer Ingrid Hess said cognitive abilities should be noted by police in the future.

Twigg’s Defense Lawyer Ingrid Hess

“So, if police officers don’t adapt their questioning of people to you know, to take into consideration how they approach an interrogation with the person who has a cognitive disability, then they’re likely to have the same outcome.”

She said she couldn’t help but develop a connection with her client; that Twigg’s personal circumstances were very compelling.

“He’s a vulnerable person, given his disability and other factors. So, it weighs on your heart -these kinds of situations. I’m very pleased with how it turned out.”

Now, she says Twigg and his family understand that he will have to find housing and supports put in place.

Twigg’s co-accused, 21-year-old Simon Danny Scout is out on bail, but will be back in Court of Queen’s Bench Wednesday morning. The Crown will determine whether any additional evidence will be called in the case, if the trial proceeds.