Convicted killer Robert 'Bobby' Thomas wants new trial in murder of Megan Gallagher

The man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Megan Gallagher wants a new trial.

Robert "Bobby" Thomas had been charged with first-degree murder in Gallagher's death in 2020. Last October, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge and, in December, was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 18 years.

• Sask. man sentenced to life in prison for 2nd-degree murder of Megan Gallagher

Last month, he applied at the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal to extend the period allowed to launch an appeal. His 30-day window to appeal passed in early January. The court must now decide whether it will even hear an appeal.

None of this sits well with Brian and Deb Gallagher.

"The reasons for our confusion and shock are multifaceted," Brian Gallagher said Friday.

Thomas pleaded guilty at Court of King's Bench on Oct. 7. Justice Daryl Labach reconfirmed on Nov. 26 that Thomas made the plea willingly.

At his sentencing on Dec. 6, Thomas apologized to Gallagher's family in open court.

Deb Gallagher is not sure why the appeal court would hear the case.

"It makes you question the date when they say it's a 30-day appeal period. This is three months after the fact," she said.

In his notice of appeal, Thomas cites unspecified "Charter right violations," adding he hopes "to have one last chance of having some kind of life with my four kids. They lost their mom to an overdose in Sept. 2024, so I wanna make sure they have one parent to go to, and I feel I haven't had a fair court case either."

Gallagher's body found in South Saskatchewan River

Gallagher, a 30-year-old mother, went missing more than four years ago in Saskatoon. She was last seen leaving her friend's house on Sept. 19, 2020. Two years later, her body was found in the South Saskatchewan River.

Gallagher's family had spent the intervening years searching for her and hosting annual walks to raise awareness about her disappearance.

In total, nine people have faced a variety of charges in connection with Gallagher's death:

• Summer-Sky Henry, Roderick Sutherland and Cheyann Peeteetuce were all charged with first-degree murder. Henry and Peeteetuce pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Sutherland is set for trial later this year.
• Thomas Sutherland was charged with manslaughter but it was stayed.
• Ernest Vernon Whitehead, 41, has been sentenced to 739 days in jail on a charge of indignity to human remains.
• Jessica Badger [Sutherland], 44, was given a conditional sentence order of two years less a day on the same charge, which means she serves it in the community. After that, she will be on probation for 18 months.
• John Wayne Sanderson was sentenced to 1,096 days on the same charge, minus 327 days for pre-sentence custody.
• Robin John was charged with unlawful confinement and aggravated assault, but the charges were stayed last fall.