‘Silence is killing us’: Trial begins for final person accused in Megan Gallagher’s death

The trial for the final person charged in the connection of Megan Gallagher’s death began on Monday at the court of King’s Bench in Saskatoon.

The Métis mother was last seen in 2020 on video surveillance at a convenience store on Diefenbaker Drive. Her remains were found two years later along the South Saskatchewan River, near the community of St. Louis.

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Roderick Sutherland is the last of the nine people arrested in connection with Gallagher’s death to come before the courts. He was initially charged with first-degree murder, but the charge has since been reduced to manslaughter.

Outside of the courthouse, Gallagher’s family and friends gathered to smudge and pray.

Megan Gallagher was last seen in 2020 on video surveillance at a convenience store on Diefenbaker Drive. Her remains were found two years later along the South Saskatchewan River. (Facebook)

Brian Gallagher, Megan’s father, said hearing that Sutherland’s charge was reduced “broke” the family, and felt like “a real kick in the gut.”

Brian said none of the other individuals accused in his daughter’s death have stood for a full trial, and this will be the first time details of Gallagher’s death are not protected under a publication ban.

“We’ve been silent since the start of the whole justice process,” he said.

“The silence is killing us.”

Brian said details revealed over the next two weeks will paint a picture of what happened to Megan before she died.

“I think it’s going to be a relief in the end,” he said.

Brian said he feels exhausted navigating the court process, and said he’s attended more than 300 court appearances.

“We don’t sleep the nights before, and last night was a really bad night,” Brian said. “It’s just on your mind all the time.”

The first-degree murder trial for 31-year-old Cheyann Crystal Peeteetuce and 26-year old Summer-Sky Henry was cut short after they pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

The two women were handed seven-year sentences on Feb 6.

Brian said he was disappointed in the decision.

“They know that they took Megan’s life,” he said. “I think they’re sitting there feeling good about their get-out-of-jail-free cards.”

On Dec. 6, 2024, 26-year old Robert James Joseph Thomas was sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder in connection with Gallagher’s death.

Thomas Sutherland was facing charges of manslaughter and unlawful confinement in the case, but his trial was abruptly cancelled after the charges were stayed in March.

Brian said that while he appreciates the help he’s received from victim services, he wants to see more assistance for families and victims navigating the justice system, such as help with travel-related costs.

He noted the importance of smudging, but said that while he was allowed to perform the traditional ceremony in provincial court, his requests were denied twice at the Court of King’s Bench.

“It just brought some common peace to everybody,” Brian said.

“It’s a powerful little ceremony.”

He said he doesn’t feel there will be closure for him and his family, even after Sutherland’s trial concludes.

“The only closure we could ever get would be if Megan would walk through our front door and give us a big hug,” he said.

Two weeks have been set aside for Sutherland’s trial, and jury selection began on Monday morning.