Trial of final accused in death of Megan Gallagher begins Monday in Saskatoon

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Trial of final accused in death of Megan Gallagher begins Monday in Saskatoon

SaskatchewanThe trial of the last of nine people charged in the death of Megan Gallagher begins this week in Saskatoon. Roderick Sutherland, originally charged with first-degree murder, is on trial for manslaughter.Roderick Sutherland charged with manslaughter in 2020 deathSean Trembath · CBC News · Posted: Oct 06, 2025 6:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 6 hours agoMegan Gallagher, 30, was last seen alive leaving her friend’s house on Sept. 19, 2020. (Brian Gallagher/Facebook)The trial for the last of nine people charged in the death of Megan Gallagher is scheduled to begin Monday in Saskatoon.Roderick Sutherland was originally charged with first-degree murder, but is now facing a charge of manslaughter after the Crown filed a new indictment on Aug. 8.Gallagher, a 30-year-old mother, went missing more than five years ago in Saskatoon. She was last seen leaving her friend’s house on Sept. 19, 2020. Two years later, her body was found in the South Saskatchewan River.Gallagher’s family had spent the intervening years searching for her and hosting annual walks to raise awareness about her disappearance.Sutherland was one of four people charged with first-degree murder in Gallagher’s killing. The three others pleaded guilty to lesser charges before going to trial.Robert (Bobby) Thomas pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 18 years. He later appealed the plea, but the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal rejected his bid for a new trial.Cheyann Peeteetuce and Summer Sky Henry both pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were each sentenced to seven years.The others charged in Gallagher’s death are the following: Thomas Sutherland was charged with manslaughter, but it was stayed. Ernest Vernon Whitehead was sentenced to two years on a charge of indignity to human remains. Jessica Badger (Sutherland) was given a conditional sentence order of two years less a day for indignity to human remains, plus 18 months probation. John Wayne Sanderson was sentenced to three years for indignity to human remains. Robin John was charged with unlawful confinement and aggravated assault, but the charges were stayed last fall. Publication bans prevent reporting the details of Gallagher’s murder, as presented in agreed statements of facts at earlier sentencing hearings. The bans are to ensure a fair trial for Sutherland.Sutherland’s jury trial at Saskatoon Court of King’s Bench is scheduled for three weeks.ABOUT THE AUTHORSean Trembath worked as a newspaper reporter for years before joining CBC in early 2018.

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