Who Shot First? The Complex Investigation of Roy McGrath's Case
Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan
CrimeOnline and iHeartPodcasts
4.8 • 1.8K Ratings
🗓️ 22 August 2023
⏱️ 28 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
When law enforcement takes aim at Roy McGrath, the incident leaves behind not only a dead man but a perplexing forensic puzzle. The complex details of this case, including McGrath's alleged financial misdeeds, his relationship with Governor Larry Hogan, and a controversial severance package, set the stage for a dramatic investigation. Hosts Joe Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore McGrath's political career, high-end fugitive lifestyle, and the fascinating forensics behind his demise. From the discovery of McGrath's SUV outside of Knoxville to the intricate process of examining gunshot wounds at the morgue, this episode dives deep into the truth and uncertainty that permeate the world of forensic science. A tale of bullets, lies, and a pursuit for truth, it's a story that's as complex as the wound tracks left behind.
Time codes:
[00:00:00] Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the episode's topic, exploring law enforcement shootings and who investigates these incidents. He mentions the case of Roy McGrath, who was in the national spotlight and was being searched for by the FBI and U.S. Marshals.
[00:01:40] The critical question is asked: who polices the police?
[00:02:00] Joe Scott and Dave discuss the background of Roy McGrath, including his alleged financial misdeeds.
[00:03:40] The controversial severance package from the Maryland Environmental Service (MES) involving Roy McGrath is unveiled.
[00:08:41] Dave explains McGrath's reaction to the news of his fraudulent activities being exposed.
[00:09:40] The challenge of evading modern law enforcement agencies with advanced technology.
[00:12:17] Discussion about the suspect's escape, his property in Florida, and the fact that he had no plans of appearing in court.
[00:15:25] The dramatic scene unfolds where the FBI locates McGrath outside of Knoxville, raising questions about potential risks to bystanders.
[00:18:20] The case's complexity is explored, particularly the two separate wound tracks from simultaneous gunfire.
[00:23:22] An explanation of the process of examining gunshot wounds, illuminating hidden details.
[00:24:26] Morgan delves into the 'lead storm' concept, fragmenting lead that helps determine bullet trajectory.
[00:26:29] The difficulty in determining McGrath's cause of death is discussed, despite there being a gunshot wound.
[00:28:40] The concept of "acoustic shadows" is introduced as are questions about the process of reconstructing the event, touching on potential legal aspects.
[00:30:08] Morgan concludes, emphasizing the value of truth and uncertainty.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | When we, as private citizens, get into an event that involves firearms, and |
| 0:29.7 | certain circumstances. We might have to discharge a firearm and injure or kill |
| 0:35.9 | another citizen. We can pretty much guarantee that the police will |
| 0:41.0 | investigate that incident. But what happens when law enforcement shoots |
| 0:46.0 | someone? Who investigates that? And particularly when you add an additional |
| 0:52.5 | layer, someone that is wanted, someone that is in the national spotlight, someone |
| 1:00.8 | that the FBI and the US marshals have been searching for for weeks upon weeks. |
| 1:07.7 | Today, we're going to talk about the death of Roy McGrath. I'm Joseph Scott |
| 1:14.5 | Morgan, and this is Body Bags. Dave Mac, so many people, and you hear it over and over and over again |
| 1:26.6 | nowadays, you hear people say, well, who polices the police? And that's a big question |
| 1:33.3 | that isn't it? You think about when people are shot, that sort of thing by the police, |
| 1:38.6 | you know, who investigates those events. And we've got an interesting case to talk |
| 1:43.1 | about today. And some people may have heard about it. I'd heard about it, but I'd |
| 1:47.6 | heard about it not from the perspective of this gentleman dying. I'd heard about this |
| 1:53.8 | gentleman Roy McGrath, the subject of our conversation today. I'd heard about him |
| 1:59.5 | absconding with a tremendous amount of money and perhaps trust that we that was |
| 2:06.7 | maybe misplaced in this particular case. |
| 2:09.6 | Joe, as children, we're told, don't tell a lie. You're going to have to keep repeating |
| 2:15.0 | that lie and other lies to cover up to the original lie. It makes good sense. Thing |
| 2:20.4 | is, some people don't learn that lesson. And oftentimes they end up in politics. Roy McGrath |
| 2:25.4 | is somebody who did not learn that lesson, apparently. When Governor Larry Hogan appointed |
| 2:30.3 | Roy McGrath to be his chief of staff in June of 2020, didn't surprise anybody. They'd |
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