A man from Lethbridge, Alberta, who was in an intermittent relationship with a vulnerable sex trade worker struggling with addiction before he confessed to killing her, took the stand in his defense during his trial for second-degree murder on Monday.
Garry Dean Brown and Ginnean Briggs-Scout met online in 2018. Brown, a married father of three adult children with a long career at the City of Lethbridge, had a connection with Briggs-Scout, who was involved in the local sex trade and battled addiction. She was 28 years old when she died in 2024.
During the trial, Brown recounted the ups and downs of their relationship and the events leading to the fatal altercation. Despite being prompted to speak louder and eventually equipped with a microphone, the soft-spoken 63-year-old shared his account in court with his wife present.
Brown admitted to strangling Briggs-Scout in his camper trailer during a trip to Oyen, Alberta, in September 2024, claiming it was an act of self-defense. He explained that Briggs-Scout became enraged at the idea of returning to Lethbridge and confronted him with a knife, revealing it was not the first time she had used or threatened violence against him.
Although Brown’s lawyer had previously stated they would not delve into the nature of their relationship, Briggs-Scout’s former boyfriend described Brown as a “sugar daddy” who financially supported her. Brown was described as helpful and supportive towards Briggs-Scout, assisting her with various needs like errands, food, and accommodation.
However, their relationship faced challenges leading to periods of no communication due to Briggs-Scout’s violent outbursts. Brown disclosed incidents where Briggs-Scout resorted to physical violence, including an episode where she and two masked men threatened him with a knife to extort money from him.
Despite these difficulties, Brown testified that he cared for Briggs-Scout deeply. He detailed his efforts to assist her in overcoming drug addiction by providing financial support for rent, food, and attempts to enroll her in a detox program. Brown mentioned keeping their relationship discreet from his own family while meeting some of Briggs-Scout’s relatives occasionally.
The situation escalated when Brown lost his job with the City of Lethbridge in June 2024 for allowing Briggs-Scout to stay overnight in a city-owned building. Subsequently, Brown and Briggs-Scout embarked on a trip to Oyen in September 2024, where the tragic incident occurred.
After a series of events in which Briggs-Scout exhibited aggressive behavior, Brown claimed he was forced to intervene in self-defense, resulting in her death. He admitted to strangling her until she lost consciousness and left her body in a rural area before returning home.
The trial revealed Brown’s distress and admission of the incident to his family, stating he acted in self-defense. Following his arrest, Briggs-Scout’s body was discovered a few kilometers away from where her belongings were found. Prosecutors alleged that Brown intentionally killed Briggs-Scout out of fear she would expose their extramarital affair to his family.
The trial is ongoing, with proceedings set to continue on Tuesday.
