Man convicted of killing Ryan Jimmo receives eight year sentence

Anthony Getschel pleaded guilty to manslaughter and hit and run last week in connection to the June 2016 death of Ryan Jimmo.

In an Edmonton, AB, courtroom last week, Anthony Getschel, 26, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection to the hit-and-run killing of UFC veteran Ryan Jimmo, 34. Jimmo was killed on June 26th, 2016 after an altercation with Getschel and his friend, Jordan Wagner, 23, close to the H20 Lounge on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton.

On Monday morning Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Paul Belzil handed Getschel a six year prison sentence for manslaughter and an additional two years for fleeing the scene (per the Edmonton Journal). Justice Belzil called the death of Jimmo a “complete tragedy” and that “One man died for nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

Getschel was originally charged with second degree murder when he was arrested shortly after the incident in 2016. In pleading guilty to a lesser charge, thus avoiding a trial, Getschel also signed an agreed statement of facts which laid out what happened during the night Jimmo died.

In that statement, it was agreed that Getschel and Wagner had been drinking and fighting with other patrons at the Cook County Saloon in Edmonton on June 26th. At around 2:00 a.m. they left that establishment in Getschel’s pick-up truck. While driving Getschel closely followed Jimmo’s Jeep, prompting Jimmo to pull over and approach the truck.

The statement goes on to state that Jimmo slapped the window of Getschel’s truck and challenged both Getschel and Wagner to a fight. When Jimmo turned and walked away from the truck, Getschel accelerated, hopped two curbs, and hit Jimmo with his vehicle.

Getschel then fled the scene. Jimmo was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died approximately 30 minutes later. After hitting Jimmo Getschel then hid his truck in a ravine and got a taxi home. The next day he retrieved the truck and parked it on his driveway, minus its license plate, which he initially claimed was stolen. While police were investigating Getschel, he turned himself in on June 28th.

In court on Monday, Getschel addressed the courtroom, which included Jimmo’s family. “I’m very sorry for the pain that I caused,” he said, while crying. “I’ll never be able to forgive myself for what happened.”

Along with his custodial sentence, Getschel was also sentenced to an eight-year driving ban, to begin after his release. Getschel, who has been out on bail and driving under conditions set by the court, surrendered his license on Monday.

When sentencing Getschel, Belzil cited Getschel’s lack of a criminal record and the fact he turned himself into authorities within 48 hours of the crime. Belzil also cited Getschel’s steady employment and stable relationships as a reason behind the eight year sentence.

Jordan Wagner was charged with accessory after the fact to murder in 2016. Those charges remain pending. Wagner is considered innocent until proven guilty.