Man charged with 2021 murder faces judge

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man who was charged with the second-degree murder of a woman back in 2021 pleaded no contest in court today.

Ryan Gallagher, now 30, was charged one count of second-degree murder back in 2022 in connection with the murder Taylor Peterson in Glocester.

Officials said Gallagher shot Peterson after an argument. The victim died days later.

The judge today reduced his sentence to manslaughter, with permission of her family.

According to prosecutors, Gallagher handed Peterson a loaded hand gun while the safety was off while she was doing laundry.

“His conduct reflected an indifference to the consequences of his actions. As a result of the defendant’s criminally negligent handling of the pistol, the defendant unintentionally discharged the handgun, striking Miss Peterson in the chest and causing her death,” Prosecutor Mark Benjamin said.

The judge ordered a pre-sentence report for September 5.

There will be another hearing for family members to give victim impact statements before sentencing.

Glocester police shared this booking photo of Ryan Gallagher.