Ruch woman accused of attempted murder committed to Oregon State Hospital

Published 3:30 pm Monday, October 9, 2023

A Ruch woman accused of trying to kill a New Year’s Eve visitor last year was committed to the Oregon State Hospital after being deemed unfit to assist in her own defense.

Cassie Lyn Ryker, 75, had pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder, assault and unlawful use of a weapon in the shooting of Mark Gatlin, 62, at her home in the 600 block of China Gulch Road outside Ruch on Dec. 31, 2022.

Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Laura Cromwell ordered last Wednesday that Ryker be sent to the state hospital. Court filings as far back as January indicate that Ryker’s competency for trial has been at issue. A fitness to proceed hearing had been scheduled for January, but was canceled, court records show.

On Oct. 3 the court held the “fitness to proceed” hearing, but it was canceled when Ryker failed to appear.

The next day, Ryker — who has remained lodged in the Jackson County Jail on $1 million bail since her arrest — was uncooperative with the court when she appeared for her hearing via video from the Jackson County Jail.

Court records state she attempted to throw liquid from a cup through a cell window. During the hearing, when asked by Cromwell about her previous hospitalizations, Ryker commented that they occurred “before (jail) time” and stated that she wanted the parties in court to “go away” and leave her alone.

According to a probable cause affidavit issued by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Gatlin arrived with his wife, Suzanne, at Ryker’s home on New Year’s Eve to watch football with Ryker and her husband, Lee. But Gatlin, with a pizza in hand, noticed the home’s security door was closed, which was not typical with how Ryker generally greeted the couple, he told police.

When Gatlin came to the security door, he allegedly heard Ryker say, “I am so blessed,” before a shot rang out, hitting Gatlin in the right shoulder. Another shot followed, causing Gatlin and his wife, who was behind him, to retreat back to their car in the driveway. Ryker then allegedly ran from her home firing more shots at Gatlin.

Gatlin hid behind his car and drew his firearm from a holster on his hip. He told police that when he stood up from behind the car to fire at Ryker, the firearm jammed. When Gatlin saw Ryker running back into her home, the Gatlins got in their car, called 911 and rushed to Providence Medford Medical Center. Gatlin was released but had to return later to have the bullet removed from his shoulder, the probable cause affidavit said.

After she was arrested, Ryker allegedly told police she intended to kill Gatlin because “she does not like him,” Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Lewis wrote in the probable cause affidavit. Ryker added, however, that Gatlin had never threatened her.

Ryker allegedly told investigators she thought Suzanne was going to drop Gatlin off at the house, so she waited for him with a revolver hidden in the pocket of her robe. Ryker allegedly said it was her intention to fire “center of mass” at Gatlin. But Ryker said her plan was foiled when Gatlin fired back, leading her to retreat back into the home.

Ryker allegedly did not express remorse for Gatlin’s injuries and told investigators her only regret was not telling Suzanne to duck or plug her ears before she shot Gatlin.

Police searched Ryker’s home and found the security door had three bullet holes and fibers from the Ruch woman’s robe.

Authorities also located Ryker’s revolver, a Smith and Wesson .38 Special, in the living room near the front door, with earplugs next to the revolver and a box of ammunition.

Investigators also retrieved Gatlin’s weapon, a 9mm handgun, from Ryker’s driveway. Gatlin told investigators he used it only to defend himself from Ryker.

A pre-trial conference in Ryker’s case is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2024.