NORTH BATTLEFORD – One of Saskatchewan’s top criminal defence lawyers is representing a man who allegedly kidnapped and killed 64-year-old Edward [Ted] Keith Geddes who went missing in 2011.
Mark Brayford went on the record Friday in North Battleford Provincial Court as defence for 70-year-old John Robert Gregoire.
Gregoire is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping with a firearm, and indecently interfering with human remains in connection with Geddes' death.
Gregoire was released on bail after a show cause hearing in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench in March. Five months later he was arrested and charged with seven new weapons offences. He remains out on bail.
Brayford, who appeared by phone, requested an adjournment and told the court he is waiting for outstanding disclosure. Disclosure consists of the Crown’s case against the accused and usually includes search warrants, the charging document, details of the offence, audio/video and transcribed witness statements, statements from the accused, expert reports, exhibits, private communication intercept authorizations, evidence, and criminal records of witnesses and the accused.
“There is a massive amount of disclosure on the murder file,” said Brayford, adding that on the next court date defence could be in a position to set a preliminary hearing.
Brayford is also waiting for disclosure on the seven weapons-related charges. Gregoire was charged April 9 in the R. M. of Hillsdale with four counts of storing loaded unsecured firearms, possession of a restricted firearm, possession of a restricted firearm with readily accessible ammunition without a license, and possession of a firearm obtained in the commission of an offense.
Prosecutor Kofi Nkruma-Young told the court that the Crown was reserving election on the seven weapons-related offences. The Crown can go by way of summary conviction, or by indictment, which is the more serious charge.
The Crown, by law, is proceeding by indictment against Gregoire on the murder charge.
Judge Murray Pelletier adjourned the matter until Nov. 8.
Geddes went missing in 2011
RCMP say that Geddes was last seen in April 2011. When police went to his home in Baldwinton for an arrest warrant in an unrelated incident in mid-April 2011, they found his dog dead in the entranceway. Police say the dog’s death wasn’t from natural causes. Geddes was wanted for theft over $5,000 stemming from an offence in April 2011 in the community of Neilburg.
The Saskatchewan RCMP Historical Case Unit and RCMP Major Crimes Unit renewed the investigation in 2021. Cut Knife RCMP and RCMP Forensic Identification Section assisted and police executed search warrants at a rural property outside of Baldwinton on Feb. 8, 2022.
Gregoire, and Robert Welsey Pich, 58, were arrested after the raid. Pich is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping with a firearm, and careless use of a firearm. He is back in court on Oct. 28 to speak to his matter.
The charges against the accused haven’t been tested in court.
RCMP say they continue to search for Geddes’ remains.
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