WESTLOCK – Conflicting accounts emerged in Westlock Court of Justice during a trial for Brian Ranch who is charged with assault and mischief/causing damage.
Key Crown witnesses Jeanine Muller and Jeremy Sanchez took the stand on July 31.
Under direct examination by Crown Prosecutor Andrew Dirgo, Muller recounted the events leading up to the incident. She said she was at a baseball tournament in Fort Saskatchewan when she learned Ranch had an unfamiliar woman in her home. At the time, Ranch who had lived at Muller’s home for almost five years, was in the process of moving out at Muller’s request.
Muller said it disturbed her that a strange woman was in her home, so she and Sanchez drove back to Westlock County. When they got there, Muller told Ranch and the woman to leave. She testified that Ranch responded with a “chest bump” to her and started a physical fight with Sanchez. She accused Ranch of knocking over a cabinet but admitted she didn’t witness it as she and the woman had fled when the fight began. Sanchez testified that Ranch was “flipping stuff over.”
Muller said Ranch had claimed the woman was there to help him move and brought boxes but added that she didn’t see any boxes. Sanchez also testified that he didn’t see any boxes.
Sanchez was initially charged by Westlock RCMP with assault against Ranch and the court ordered him not to have any direct or indirect contact with Ranch. The charge against Sanchez was later dropped.
Defence attorney David Keyes presented a contrasting narrative and challenged Muller’s credibility. He said Sanchez broke several of Ranch's ribs during the fight and called Muller’s claim that Ranch got friends to break his ribs afterwards “outlandish and unreasonable.”
Keyes accused Muller of misrepresenting Ranch’s character to police to discredit him and protect Sanchez. She had told police Ranch didn't work but Keyes pointed out he was working at the time. Muller said she didn’t intentionally leave out information, adding the officer could have asked “further questions.”
Defence also contested Muller’s claim that Ranch chest bumped her saying Muller was standing in the entry way blocking Ranch’s exit, and he had accidentally bumped her. Keyes said Sanchez threw the first punch to the back of Ranch’s head and kicked Ranch while he was down.
Under cross-examination by defence, Sanchez admitted that he had asked a mutual acquaintance of him and Ranch to convince Ranch to drop the assault charge to avoid a criminal record. He also admitted to his previous drug use with Sanchez. Court heard the two had known each other for about 20 years.
Defence also highlighted Sanchez’s physical advantage over Ranch.
“You’re a heavy weight,” said Keyes to Sanchez, adding, “You kicked him while he was on the ground.
Sanchez admitted, “There probably was some kicking.”
“You broke his ribs,” said Keyes. “Brian (Ranch) was pleading with you to stop kicking him. He asked you to stop, didn’t he?”
“Yes,” admitted Sanchez.
Justice Carrie-Ann Downey adjourned the trial with a future continuance date to be set. The Crown still has one non-civilian witness to call, and the defence plans to call four witnesses.
