Brian Gallagher answers questions from the media outside Saskatoon's provincial courthouse with wife, Debby, beside him on June 3, 2022. (Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM)

By Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM News

Second man accused in Megan Gallagher investigation appears in court

Jun 3, 2022 | 3:42 PM

The small courtroom was filled by more than a dozen family members, close friends and supporters of Megan Gallagher on their second day in a row visiting Saskatoon’s provincial court.

Megan’s father Brian Gallagher and his wife Debby — Megan’s stepmother — sat calmly in the front row as Roderick William Sutherland made his first court appearance Friday.

Sutherland was read the charge — offering an indignity to human remains — which was said to have occurred on Sept. 20, 2020, the same day Gallagher went missing. Sutherland was instructed by the judge to not explain anything to the people in the courtroom.

The Crown elected to proceed by way of indictment with Sutherland’s case, saying it was opposed to his release.

He was ordered to remain in custody until a bail hearing Tuesday, and a no-contact order was imposed to prevent Sutherland from being in touch with the other three accused — Ernest Vernon Whitehead, who made his first appearance on Thursday, or John Wayne Sanderson and Jessica Sutherland, who are still wanted by police.

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

6h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

6h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

7h ago

All four are facing the same charge. While police have said they are investigating Gallagher’s disappearance as a homicide, none of the four accused have been charged with murder or manslaughter.

Brian Gallagher, his wife and two friends embrace outside the provincial courthouse in Saskatoon on June 3, 2022. (Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM)

Outside the courthouse, Brian Gallagher said this is a hard time for him.

“You’re just kind of in a holding pattern,” he said, sharing he hasn’t been to work in a few days due to the developments in his daughter’s case.

Reflecting on how he wants his daughter to be remembered, Gallagher recalled Megan’s affinity for kids, calling her the “pied piper” for children. He also spoke of her joyful personality and sense of humour.

“I can’t see her being happy watching us suffer right now. She’s in a terrible state if she sees us crying,” Gallagher said.