'Ridiculous': Saskatoon woman's family frustrated after man accused of killing her appears in court by phone
Robert James Thomas, charged with first-degree murder in the death of Megan Gallagher, made his first appearance in Saskatoon provincial court by phone Monday morning — and that's not sitting well with her family.
Gallagher was reported missing in September of 2020, and police began treating her case as a homicide in January 2021.
Thomas’ appearance was via telephone from Saskatoon Correctional Centre, which Megan's father Brian Gallagher called “absolutely ridiculous” and “damaging” to family and friends.
“The person accused of first degree murder for Megan Gallagher did not have to appear,” he said.
“He chose to not have the charges read out and it was, just for me at that moment and I don't want to speak for everybody else, but it broke me. It's been two years plus since Megan's disappeared, and that kind of treatment towards the families of the victims is unacceptable.”
Thomas will be held in custody until his next court appearance on Oct. 6.
There is a no-contact order between Thomas and the four other accused in Gallagher’s disappearance; John Wayne Sanderson, Ernest Whitehead, Roderick William Sutherland and Jessica Sutherland — each charged with offering an indignity to human remains.
After the proceedings in court, the judge took a moment to address Gallagher’s family and friends in attendance, saying she understands the process has been upsetting and challenging and that she appreciates the grace which the family has shown.
Gallagher says he appreciates those words but adds it’s disrespectful that the appearance was made by phone.
“There's something very cold about a telephone call or a video appearance,” he said.
“There's something that's much more human about somebody being in person and seeing their eyes and them having to see us and face us as well.”
“You want (him) to see the devastation he's caused,” said Debbie, Megan's stepmother.
“We know he's in Saskatoon. We know others are in Saskatoon, and they never have to face us. It's just wrong.”
SECOND MURDER CHARGE
On Monday afternoon, Saskatoon police announced they had arrested 29-year-old Cheyann Crystal Peeteetuce in connection with Gallagher's presumed death.
Like Thomas, Peeteetuce also faces a first-degree murder charge.
Police say Peeteetuce was already at a correctional facility in Prince Albert when she was arrested and was transported to Saskatoon.
She's expected to make her first appearance in provincial court Tuesday morning.
Peeteetuce is the sixth person arrested in connection to Gallagher’s death.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6963583.1720982280!/httpImage/image.jpeg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpeg)
DEVELOPING Man killed at Trump rally was former fire chief who 'dove on his family to protect them'
On the heels of an attempt to kill him, former U.S. President Donald Trump called Sunday for unity and resilience as shocked leaders across the political divide recoiled from the shooting that left him wounded but 'fine.'
DEVELOPING Here's what we know about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the suspected Trump rally shooter
The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania as the suspect in Saturday's attempted assassination of former U.S. president Donald Trump at a campaign rally.
Read the letter from Melania Trump responding to attempted assassination of Donald Trump
Former first lady Melania Trump issued her first public response since her husband, former President Donald Trump, was injured in a shooting at one of his rallies on Saturday.
Obituary Shannen Doherty, '90210' actress, dies at 53, People magazine reports
American actor Shannen Doherty, best known for her role as high school student Brenda Walsh on hit 1990s television drama 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' has died after years living with cancer, People magazine reported on Sunday. She was 53.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, hands Carlos Alcaraz his Wimbledon trophy in a rare appearance for her
Kate, the Princess of Wales, handed Carlos Alcaraz the champion's trophy after the Wimbledon men's final at the All England Club on Sunday in only her second public appearance since announcing she was diagnosed with cancer.
Ontario educational assistant charged after alleged relationship with 14-year-old boy
An educational assistant at a Catholic elementary school in Welland has been charged after allegedly having an "intimate relationship" with a 14-year-old boy who was her former student.
Mother searching for answers after son dies in OPP custody
The SIU is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 36-year-old man inside a Rockwood, Ont. police cell.
opinion Why 'paying yourself first' is the key to a comfortable retirement
One of the most effective retirement savings strategies is to pay yourself first. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines strategies for consistently saving and investing over time and building a solid nest egg.
'Let me get my shoes': What Donald Trump said after he was shot
Transcript of the audio from the shooting and aftermath at the podium with former President Donald Trump and Secret Service members.