5-27-2007 Alabama:
PRATTVILLE -- A man scheduled to go on trial this week on sex abuse charges apparently committed suicide Thursday night in a Montgomery hotel.
John R. Grover, 58, was charged with sexual abuse of a child younger than 12, according to Autauga County courthouse records.
His alleged victim was a 3-year-old girl, said Heather Dixon, an assistant district attorney.
Grover never showed up for his court case in Prattville earlier this week. He was indicted by the grand jury in October 2006. Officials didn't have a current address for him.
Grover's death was discovered by officers responding to an unrelated domestic violence call Thursday night at a Montgomery hotel, said Capt. Huey Thornton, a spokesman for the Montgomery Police Department.
The officers were at the Hotel 6 on the East Boulevard when they heard a gunshot from another room.
After forcing entry into the room, Montgomery officers found Grover dead with an apparent gunshot wound to his head.
News of the suicide shocked people at the courthouse early Friday morning.
"We contacted the family of the victim, and of course they were taken aback," Dixon said. "We were ready to go to trial this week. We had a strong case. We are relieved that this now-4-year-old victim won't have to go through a trial."
District Attorney Randall Houston was less diplomatic.
"This shows that not all justice takes place in a courtroom," he said. ..more.. by Marty Roney
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