Megan Gallagher Photo APTN
With the first sentencing of one of four people charged with murder in connection with the 2020 killing of Megan Gallagher in Saskatoon, her family is now girding for three more trials in the new year.
On Friday, Robert (Bobby) James Thomas was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 18 years after being convicted of second-degree murder.
Thomas was originally charged with first-degree murder, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge in October.
The remains of Gallagher, 30, a Métis woman from Saskatoon, were found at the South Saskatchewan River two years after she disappeared on Sept. 19, 2020.
Her parents, Brian and Debbie Gallagher, have attended every court appearance.
Brian told APTN News he is still processing the outcome of Thomas’s sentence.
“I’m not sure how I’m feeling right now,” Brian said Monday. “A sense of relief and a little bit of a sense of letting go – tempered with the knowledge there will be two more first-degree murder trials in the new year.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the grandchildren over the holidays, but will probably need a moment to myself.”
Debbie, Megan’s stepmom, says she feels like she could finally exhale after four and a half years of waiting for some justice.
“There’s always a chance they could get off on a technicality,” she said Monday. “A lot of details had been released already, but the judge imposed a publication ban to ensure fairness in the upcoming trials.”
Saskatoon police began making arrests in 2022. They charged nine people in Gallagher’s death.
Aside from Thomas, three other people were charged with first-degree murder: Summer-Sky Henry, Roderick William Sutherland and Cheyann Crystal Peeteetuce. Their trials are scheduled to start next year.
The remaining five have already been dealt with by the courts.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Megan was held in a garage before being killed and her body disposed of in the South Saskatchewan River.
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The Gallagher family has attended well over 100 hearings in the case.
Brian is grateful for the family’s supporters who continue to attend the court proceedings.
“And I want to thank everybody from the police to the prosecutors for their work on the case,” he added.
The Gallaghers were pleased to see a man sentenced for posting messages on Megan’s online obituary. Robert Bryan Gordon pleaded guilty in July 2024 to indecent communication with a hate crime component and was sentenced to nine months.
Gordon is serving his sentence in the community under conditions.
“An obituary is meant to comfort the family,” said Debbie, noting Megan’s killing has had an impact on more than just her family.
“It’s really affected the community. We can’t go anywhere without someone recognizing us.”
The Gallaghers hope what happened to Megan helps generate empathy in the community.
“If you see something, say something. People need to stand up and say ‘no’.”
