SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA: A Minnesota man has been sentenced to seven years of probation for the death of a high school hockey coach following a deadly altercation over social distancing.
The incident involved Ryan John Whisler, who was initially facing second-degree murder charges but later pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter while committing fifth-degree assault against high school hockey coach Mike Ryan. He was sentenced on Monday, August 7.
As a condition of his probation, Whisler is required to spend a year at the Ramsey County Workhouse, participate in therapy for two years, undergo anger management counseling, complete an alcohol abuse program, abstain from alcohol during his probation period, and dedicate two years to weekly volunteering at a non-profit restorative justice program or government agency, per Fox news.
Who is Ryan Whisler?
Whisler, 46, hails from St Paul, Minnesota. According to court documents, he entered a guilty plea in May for his April 2021 altercation with Ryan, 45. As part of his release terms, Whisler could face a prison sentence of 86 months if he fails to adhere to the conditions outlined.
What happened to Mike Ryan?
According to court records, the incident occurred inside a bar's bathroom, where Whisler punched a hole into a urinal barrier designed for social distancing and then urinated into it. Later, as they were leaving the bar, Ryan, a hockey coach at Jefferson High School, confronted Whisler about his actions.
During this confrontation, Whisler removed Ryan's face mask and grabbed his shirt, while bystanders attempted to intervene. The situation escalated, and surveillance footage showed Whisler punching Ryan's head with what was described as "a large, sweeping motion."
The video, when analyzed frame by frame, revealed that Whisler pushed Ryan toward the stairs. This caused Ryan to be propelled backward and land at the base of the staircase, hitting his head on the concrete.
After the incident, Whisler fled the scene in a blue hatchback. However, authorities identified him through the credit card he used to settle his bill at the bar. The following day, on April 18, 2021, Whisler surrendered himself to the St Paul Police.
Meanwhile, Ryan's condition deteriorated, and he was taken off life support on April 18. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner determined that his death was a homicide caused by a traumatic brain injury due to the fall.