Ruben Manz trial: Jury hears closing arguments from defense in sexual assault case

The defense presented its closing arguments to the jury in the case of a Regina-based chiropractor accused of sexual assault Wednesday afternoon.

Ruben Manz faces a total of seven sexual assault charges. He was first arrested in April 2021 after two former clients came forward claiming they were subjected to “inappropriate and unwanted acts” during chiropractic treatments.

Following his arrest, other customers came forward.

The alleged incidents occurred over a period of ten years.

During the trial, which lasted nearly four weeks, all seven complainants and the defendants took the stand to testify. Both the Crown and defense also called their own expert witnesses.

Reliability has been questioned

Defense lawyer Kathy Hodgson-Smith challenged the reliability of the alleged victims’ statements as part of her closing argument, generally describing each of their memories as “poor”.

“What they’re saying doesn’t make sense,” the lawyer said. “And that’s paradoxical.”

Hodgson-Smith frequently highlighted Manz’s time on the bench, describing it as “consistent.”

“(Manz) was a chiropractor doing his job,” he said. “His treatment was not in accordance with the standards of care. It was an appropriate treatment. PNF prolongation was medically indicated.

“Why would he throw away the dream of becoming a chiropractor that he’s had since he was four years old? Hodgson-Smith continued: “Why would he throw his and his wife’s health clinic out the window just for his life’s work: touching a breast?”

The defense compared this incident to a bowl of thousands of beads. The beads represent every patient Manz has treated in his more than two decades as a chiropractor.

By his argument, he was proposing that each of the complainants’ cases be removed from the imaginary bowl.

“There are seven beads on the table that look independent,” Hodgson-Smith said.

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However, as his words continued, he offered to put the beads together. He said Manz’s testimony remained steadfast while the complainants remained steadfast.

“We casually take a needle and put the needle through the beads that tie these people (together),” Hodgson-Smith described.

Defense’s perceived decision roadmap

The defense then gave the jury an outline of how they might reach a not-guilty verdict, asking them to consider three questions for each charge Manz faces.

First, did he touch her breast?

If the answer to the question is “Yes”, let’s move on to the second question. Did he touch her breast on purpose?

If the answer to this question is “Yes”, they can move on to the third question. Did he touch the woman’s breast in situations of a sexual nature?

If the answer to all three questions is “Yes,” the jury could find Manz guilty.

But if the answer is “No,” the jury must find Manz not guilty.

Cases were postponed

Hearings were postponed further Wednesday after the defense took more than two hours to complete its closing argument.

Because the court could not hold the jury past 4:30 p.m., Judge Janey McMutry had to pause Hodgson-Smith before completing her entire argument.

The defense will then be allowed to complete its closing argument Thursday afternoon before the Crown presents its final arguments.

That’s when Judge McMutry was ready to give the jury his final instructions and send them to jail to decide.

Due to the delay, the jury will be quarantined starting Friday morning.

Thirteen jurors heard this case during nearly four weeks of hearings. Before being arrested, one member will be randomly selected and 12 members will make this decision.

They must reach a unanimous verdict on each charge before being released.