deadmonton 2004 - garry mcgrath
Garry McGrath, 44, was reported missing February 9th, 2004.
George William Allen, 53, was charged with first degree murder.
George Allen was the last person to see Garry McGrath (left) alive when McGrath was picking up firewood at Allen's property near Antler Lake, east of Sherwood Park, on February 7th, 2004.
McGrath had called his wife to say he'd be home in a half hour but never arrived. His vehicle was found ten days later abandoned in a parking lot near the water park at West Edmonton Mall.
A twenty-month investigation, involving as many as 30 officers, resulted in a search of Allen's property. The search began when was Allen was charged with first-degree murder on October 6th, 2005.
On October 12th, 2005 Strathcona County RCMP announced the discovery of a body in a shallow grave on Allen's property.
Police identified the body found as being McGrath.
Allen (left) was charged October 12th with nine weapons-related offences, including six counts of careless storage of a firearm, possession of a loaded restricted firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed.
Allen did not appear in court when the additional charges were laid and sent an agent in his place. The weapons charges came as a result of the search of the Allen property.
On April 24th, 2006 George Allen's scheduled two-week preliminary trial began. The first evidence presented came from the medical examiner's office.
The examiner said Garry McGrath's body was found wrapped in plastic and tape, with zip ties around the neck and hands.
The medical examiner said cause of death was likely blunt force trauma.
On April 28th, 2006 Allen's scheduled two-week preliminary trial concluded. The presiding judge deemed there was enough evidence to proceed on the charge of first degree murder.
Allen's lawyer argued that an October, 2006 trial date was warranted citing the "notorious conditions in the Edmonton Remand Centre" where Allen is being kept.