A 911 call made by a former Baptist pastor who is accused of drowning and drugging his pregnant wife was faked, according to statements made by the Crown this week.
Philip Grandine is on trial for first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Anna Karissa Grandine. The 29-year-old was found dead in the bathtub of their Scarborough home in October 2011. He has pleaded not guilty.
The Crown alleges Grandine plotted to kill his wife, who was five months pregnant at the time, so he could continue an extramarital affair with a parishioner at the Ennerdale Baptist Church, where he was pastor.
Police responded to a 911 call on Oct. 17, 2011 made by Grandine from his home on Marsh Road, near Danforth Road and St. Clair East. The ex-pastor told the 911 operator he returned home and found his wife under the water in the bathtub and not breathing.
"I just came home," he told the 911 dispatcher. "I was out running and my wife was taking a bath, and when I came home she was in the bath, but she's under the water and she's not breathing."
The Crown alleges the call placed by Grandine was faked, and he had no intention of saving his wife. The victim was taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The ex-pastor also worked as a nurse, and the Crown suggested he would have had access to the sedative Ativan, which they say was used to drug the victim.
Court heard that Grandine was forced to resign from his position at the Ennerdale Baptist Church after his wife and other parishioners found out about his affair with Eileen Florentino.
Florentino said the two had sex in his car a few days after his wife died. She said the relationship lasted another six months.
The trial continues.
