Roderick Sutherland has been convicted of manslaughter in connection with the 2020 killing of Megan Gallagher after a 12-person jury at Court of King’s Bench in Saskatoon delivered its verdict on Friday afternoon following a two-day deliberation. The jury also found Sutherland guilty of unlawful confinement and desecrating human remains.
Emotional scenes unfolded in the courtroom as Megan’s family and friends reacted with gasps, sobs, and hugs when Justice John Morrall announced the verdict. Megan’s father, Brian Gallagher, expressed relief and closure upon hearing the guilty verdict, mentioning that it felt like a weight had been lifted from his chest.
Brian reminisced about Megan’s joyful, humorous, and compassionate nature, emphasizing her generosity and willingness to help others selflessly. The Gallagher family’s legal journey began five years ago when Megan vanished under suspicious circumstances, with law enforcement suspecting foul play shortly after her disappearance in September 2020.
Her remains were discovered two years later on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River, about 105 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon. During the trial, disturbing details emerged about the events leading to Gallagher’s death, revealing that she had been tied to a chair, assaulted, and killed by a group of individuals in a Saskatoon garage.
Several individuals were implicated in Megan’s disappearance and death, including Robert Thomas, Cheyann Peeteetuce, Summer-Sky Henry, Ernest Whitehead, Jessica Badger (Sutherland), and John Sanderson, who all faced various charges related to the case. Charges against Robin John and Thomas Sutherland were stayed before reaching trial.
Sutherland’s trial commenced on October 6, with the defense arguing that Sutherland attempted to intervene and stop the fatal events unfolding in the garage. However, the Crown contended that Sutherland’s involvement from the beginning to the end of the ordeal warranted culpability in Megan’s death.
Following the guilty verdict, Sutherland was remanded into custody as the Crown sought a double-digit sentence, while the defense indicated they would be pursuing a provincial jail sentence during the sentencing scheduled for December 19. Defense lawyer Blaine Beaven expressed disappointment with the outcome and mentioned the possibility of an appeal, acknowledging the difficult day for both their client and the Gallagher family.