Final hearings are underway in the trial of a Regina chiropractor accused of sexual assault

Final hearings are underway in the trial of a Regina chiropractor accused of sexually assaulting seven women under his care over a decade.

Ruben Manz, 49, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought before him in King’s Bench Court in Regina, where the jury trial was held. started on November 4. Judge Janet McMurtry presides.

During the nearly four-week trial, the jury heard from both Manz, who testified in his own defense, and the women who accused him of assault.

During opening arguments, prosecutor Jackie Lane told the court that Manz reached under patients’ bras and touched their breasts while stretching their necks.

Lane argued that Manz had access to the women as a trusted medical caregiver and betrayed that trust by sexually touching them without their consent and without a legitimate medical purpose.

As closing arguments began Wednesday afternoon, the defense, led by attorney Kathy Hodgson-Smith, told the jury that Manz was a family man who loved his job and always conducted himself appropriately as a chiropractor.

Hodgson-Smith indicated a desire to reveal details of witnesses’ medical records during the trial.

Manz was asked repeatedly to define terminology and explain to the court the process of regularly visiting a chiropractor.

The defense argued that the type of neck stretching Manz performed was part of lawful chiropractic treatment and that he performed the stretching properly and did not intentionally touch witnesses’ breasts for sexual reasons.

A chiropractor, called by the defense as an expert witness earlier this week, said Manz followed industry standards of care for consent, diagnosis, treatment and record-keeping.

“It was all legal chiropractic treatment,” Hodgson-Smith told the jury Wednesday.

She also said that during questioning, Manz remained consistent and included no contradictions in the facts he presented.

The defense used his detailed accounts to dispute some of the witness statements.

Hodgson-Smith questioned the reliability and credibility of the seven women who testified.

She stated that the memories presented in their testimonies were inconsistent with the evidence presented. She also questioned the veracity of the testimony, considering that for many witnesses the events took place many years ago.

The defense is expected to complete its closing arguments on Thursday, followed by closing arguments from the Crown.

The jury will then be sequestered and make a final decision on November 29.