PRINCE ALBERT – Update: RCMP have charged six inmates in the death of Rocky Meechance at Saskatchewan Penitentiary on Jan. 29.
Those charged with second-degree murder include 28-year-old George Custer, 25-year-old Tyrel Munroe, 26-year-old Dominick Cochrane, 26-year-old Jonathan Soosay, 26-year-old Wyatt Crookedneck, and 26-year-old Rene Merasty.
RCMP say that a second person was injured at the prison when Meechance was murdered.
Thirty-four-year-old Conrad Merasty, 23-year-old Ilyas Gilao, and 23-year-old DJ Montgrand have each been charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Original story: Rocky Meechance has died in Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert on Jan. 29, according to Correctional Service Canada (CSC).
At the time of his death, he was serving a three-year sentence since Aug. 15, 2022, for flight from police, obstructing a police officer, breaking and entering to commit an offence (not a dwelling), accessory after the fact, and driving while prohibited.
Meechance, from Red Pheasant First Nation, had been sentenced on Aug. 15, 2022, in North Battleford Provincial Court. He had pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, break and enter, flight from police, and break and enter to the incidents in Arelee and area, court heard.
Wanted to leave gang lifestyle
Court heard that Meechance recognized that his gang affiliation and drinking resulted in his criminal behaviour and he was taking steps to leave that lifestyle.
Meechance got sober when he was previously in prison but started drinking again after he was released to deal with the pain of his father’s death. His father had died while he was in prison and he wasn’t able to attend his funeral and say goodbye, court heard.
Meechance planned to attend Alcoholics Anonymous and reach out to STR8UP, a Saskatoon-based non-profit that helps gang members leave the lifestyle.
Friends and family react to his death
Meechance’s friend, James, posted, “He was such a kind guy! He will be missed.”
Janelle Meechance posted on social media, “I can’t shake this. I’ve had anger yesterday and I wake up with anger n tears today! My anger is towards the men who took my baby brothers life! He was murdered.”
CSC didn’t reveal Meechance’s cause of death and said the police and the coroner were notified.
This story by SASKTODAY first published on Jan. 31, 2024, and updated on Feb. 1, 2024.
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