(file photo/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Rocky Meechance death

Second man gets 6 years for Sask. Pen. manslaughter

Aug 27, 2025 | 2:54 PM

The second of six people charged in the death of an inmate in the Saskatchewan Penitentiary last year was given a six-year jail sentence in Prince Albert Provincial Court today.

Wyatt Crookedneck will start his new sentence for manslaughter once his current sentence concludes in November of this year.

In her victim impact statement about the death of her brother, Rocky Meechance, his sister explained that her life has never been the same.

“The absence of my brother has cast a lifelong shadow. This pain is so deep, and the pain is so heavy,” his sister said.

She asked Judge Hugh Harradence to impose the maximum jail time possible.

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Other family members also had their victim impact statements read into the record.

Crown Prosecutor Curtis Wiebe asked for a sentence of eight to 10 years, based on the circumstances which cannot be published as other accused are still before the courts.

The defence suggested a sentence of five years. The one other person convicted so far, Jonathan Soosay, was given an eight-year sentence, partially due to the fact he was already serving an 11-year sentence for another manslaughter in Edmonton.

While Crookedneck has a criminal history that involves violence using a weapon, he has not been convicted of causing a death other than Meechance.

He has completed his Grade 12 and one level of rehabilitation programming and enrolled in the second level.

He also took the opportunity to apologize.

“I would like to apologize to Rocky’s family,” said Crookedneck, before Judge Harradence handed down his sentence. “I’m really sorry for what I did. I wish I could go back in time and fix it, but I can’t.”

Before Crookedneck’s sentencing, Harradence also delivered his decision on a preliminary hearing involving two of the other men accused in connection with the death.

Rene Merasty was committed to trial in Court of King’s Bench on the lesser charge of manslaughter.

His co-accused, Tyrel Carl Peequaquat (aka Munroe) will be tried for second-degree murder.

Both will be in King’s Bench on September 12 for a pre-trial conference.

Dominick Cochrane also pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on Nov. 3.

The final accused, George Custer, is also awaiting trial in King’s Bench.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social