Sask. lawyers clash over Roderick Sutherland’s role in Megan Gallagher death

Both sides have concluded their arguments in the manslaughter trial of Roderick Sutherland. Laura Woodward has the details.

Lawyers made their final arguments in the manslaughter trial of Roderick Sutherland at Saskatoon’s Court of King’s Bench on Tuesday.

Sutherland, 47, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, unlawful confinement and offering an indignity to human remains in the death of Megan Gallagher.

Gallagher, 30, died on Sept. 20, 2020, inside Sutherland’s garage on Weldon Avenue.

Court heard she was confined to a chair and died after plastic wrap was put around her face.

Had no control

Defence lawyer Blaine Beaven pointed to Sutherland’s 2021 statement to police — noting he wasn’t under arrest and voluntarily came forward.

“He feels a terrible weight about what happened ... He comes forward to police because he wants to be helpful,” Beaven told the 12-person jury.

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Beaven referenced Sutherland crying to investigators and “how scared he was of the people involved.”

“It was his garage, but he had no control of what those people were doing,” Beaven said.

Downplayed his role, Crown says

Crown prosecutor Bill Burge argued Sutherland minimized his involvement.

“He was much more involved than he has led on and I suggest to you that he was actively participating in the confinement and assault of Megan Gallagher,” Burge told the jury.

Credibility debate

Both sides focused on the testimony of Robert Thomas, who took the stand on the fourth day of the trial.

Thomas told the court that about a month before Gallagher’s death, he was held hostage and stabbed — and believed Gallagher was involved.

He testified that Sutherland bragged about getting Gallagher for him as revenge.

The Crown argued Thomas had “nothing to gain” by lying.

The defence argued Thomas harbours resentment toward Sutherland for going to police.

Call to cab company

An agreed statement of facts states Gallagher’s phone was used to call a cab at 3:33 a.m. on Sept. 21, 2020.

Sutherland’s voice can be heard, providing the address.

“This is evidence that Roderick Sutherland was deeply involved in this. I suggest he was involved from the start to the finish,” Burge said.

The defence argued Sutherland was separate from the group who confined Gallagher.

The judge is scheduled to charge the jury Thursday morning.