McGruder convicted of murder, manslaughter, domestic assault in death of Austin woman
(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: Judge Jeffrey Kritzer found Me’Darian McGruder guilty of two counts of 2nd-degree murder, a charge of 2nd-degree manslaughter, a charge of domestic assault, and a charge of felon in possession of a firearm following the 2021 shooting death of 20-year-old Tyesha Gills.
According to Kritzer’s findings, witnesses in the residence where McGruder shot Gills testified that Gills had been playing around with a stun gun, using it to make “popping” noises.
A family member said McGruder became angry with Gills and shot her, but she only felt safe enough to tell law enforcement later, after a friend of McGruder’s left the scene.
McGruder told the court he had been holding a gun, Gills tased him, and it went off accidentally.
Kritzer ruled that McGruder’s actions — chambering the gun, holding it in his right hand, and stating that if Gills tased him, he would shoot her — indicated intention to shoot and kill the young woman.
McGruder’s sentencing had not been scheduled Thursday morning, Feb. 22.
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(ABC 6 News) – An Austin man’s murder case is in the hands of a Mower County judge, as of today.
Me’Darian Mcgruder was charged with two counts of 2nd-degree murder, one charge of 3rd-degree murder, a charge of 2nd-degree manslaughter, a charge of domestic assault, and a charge of felon in possession of a firearm following the 2021 shooting death of 20-year-old Tyesha Gills.
The charge of 3rd-degree murder was dismissed last week. The remaining charges are all being considered this month.
On Wednesday, Feb. 14, judge Jeffrey Kritzer took Me’Darian McGruder’s trial under advisement, meaning the prosecution and defense have presented their evidence and rested their cases.
Mower County court staff said Kritzer was expected to return a ruling by Feb. 26.
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(ABC 6 News) – The Mower County Attorney’s Office decided not to pursue one of an Austin man’s three murder charges during his ongoing court trial.
The trial for Me’Darian McGruder began Feb. 7 and is scheduled through Feb. 16.
RELATED: Trial set to begin in February for Austin man charged in 2021 murder – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com
Me’Darian Mcgruder was charged with two counts of 2nd-degree murder, one charge of 3rd-degree murder, a charge of 2nd-degree manslaughter, a charge of domestic assault, and a charge of felon in possession of a firearm following the 2021 shooting death of 20-year-old Tyesha Gills.
RELATED: Austin murder suspect arrested in Mississippi Friday morning – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com
On Feb. 9, one charge of 3rd-degree murder–perpetrating eminently depraved act and evincing depraved mind was dismissed.
The other murder, manslaughter, domestic assault and firearm charges remain in play.
Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelson said the case laws for 3rd-degree murder–perpetrating eminently depraved act and evincing depraved mind had changed since McGruder was charged in 2021, and the attorney’s office was no longer able to prove that McGruder’s alleged crime met the definition.
McGruder waived his right to a jury trial, and chose to have a court or bench trial, in which a judge hears the case and makes a decision, instead of a jury coming to an agreement.
The state filed one subpoena and requested two arrest warrants for various witnesses who are required to testify, according to Minnesota Court Records Online.
The trial continues this week.
NOTE: A previous version of this article said McGruder had been acquitted of the charge. Judge Jeffrey Kritzer had not determined McGruder was not guilty of the charge — instead, the Mower County Attorney’s Office decided not to pursue the charge. ABC 6 News apologizes for the error.