'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
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.