Wesley Grist recalled the harrowing moment he turned the corner in his kitchen to find two dogs standing over something his mind could not immediately comprehend. In a flash of horror, he realized it was his son.
Father Takes the Stand
Grist testified on Thursday in the criminal negligence trial of Crystal MacDonald, who is charged in connection with the death of 11-year-old Kache Grist. The boy was mauled by MacDonald's two Cane Corso dogs while visiting his father for spring break on April 1, 2024, in south Edmonton.
Speaking in a low, gravelly voice with tears welling in his eyes, Grist described the final moments with his son. He detailed how he had been working in the garage that evening, and Kache had gone to buy snacks for a planned movie night. After joking around, Grist allowed Kache to go inside and play on his Nintendo Switch.
When Grist entered the kitchen, he discovered the dogs over his son. He screamed, grabbed Kache, and punched and kicked the animals until he forced them into the backyard. The dogs, Khaos and Khairo, each had hold of Kache's leg.
Defence Questions Concerns
Defence lawyer Evan McIntyre pressed Grist about whether MacDonald had expressed concerns about Kache being left alone with the dogs due to their recent aggressive behavior, including attacks on humans and other pets. Grist acknowledged that MacDonald said she “didn't know if it was a good idea” but did not flatly refuse the visit.
“That was her biggest issue — (Kache) not being alone with the dogs,” Grist agreed under questioning.
The Aftermath
While waiting for paramedics, Grist performed chest compressions as instructed by a 911 operator. When paramedics arrived, they took Kache upstairs. “They finally came up and said he was gone,” Grist recalled, adding that he punched a hole in the wall in anguish.
An autopsy determined Kache died from bite wounds to the neck. The dogs were euthanized within days; the larger one, Khaos, weighed 124 pounds.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Kache returned from the store around 6:48 p.m., and Grist emerged from the home with blood-covered hands just under an hour later, shouting, “Kache is dead!” into his phone.
