Testimony Unfolds in Saskatoon Manslaughter Trial of Roderick Sutherland

The trial of Roderick William Sutherland for manslaughter and offering an indignity to human remains has revealed disturbing details surrounding the death of Megan Michelle Gallagher. Testimony from Robert “Bobby” James Joseph Thomas on Thursday provided a glimpse into the events leading up to Gallagher’s death in September 2020.

Thomas, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Gallagher’s death last year, recounted his time in a garage located at 709 Weldon Avenue in Saskatoon’s King George neighbourhood. He stated that Sutherland had told him he “got” Gallagher “back for him.” This chilling statement came as Thomas described seeing Gallagher tied to a chair and appearing to have been physically assaulted.

During the proceedings, emotions ran high as family members of Gallagher wiped away tears, underscoring the trial’s profound human impact. The jury trial began this week at the Saskatoon Court of King’s Bench, with Gallagher, 30, having been reported missing on September 19, 2020. Her remains were discovered nearly two years later, on September 29, 2022, near the South Saskatchewan River in St. Louis.

As the trial unfolded, Thomas testified that he visited the garage multiple times. He described a chaotic atmosphere where people were “getting high” and drinking. He admitted to hitting Gallagher with his elbow while she was restrained, questioning her involvement in a prior assault against him.

Thomas disclosed that he had used Gallagher’s bank card on the day of her death, claiming she had provided him with the PIN number before being tied up. When asked about Gallagher’s treatment, he stated that he had wrapped her body in a blue tarp but insisted there was no premeditated plan to kill her.

In a surprising twist, Thomas indicated that Sutherland was aware of a plan to “question” Gallagher regarding the alleged attack on him, contradicting earlier statements. Thomas also admitted to being under the influence of crystal meth for ten days prior to the incident, which he noted could lead to paranoia and hallucinations.

His testimony was further complicated by a video played in court, where he had previously denied any knowledge of Gallagher’s fate. He later acknowledged that this statement was false.

The inconsistencies in the testimonies were highlighted by Cheyann Peeteetuce, Thomas’s aunt, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier this year. In her testimony, she claimed to have no memory of the incident and failed to identify Sutherland in the courtroom.

Adding to the emotional weight of the trial, Jessica Badger, Sutherland’s sister, testified about her brother’s state after the incident. She recalled arriving at his home to find him crying and admitting there was a body in the garage, further complicating the narrative surrounding Gallagher’s death.

As the trial continues, the jury is expected to grapple with the conflicting accounts and emotional testimonies that illuminate the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Megan Gallagher.