MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The father of a man convicted of fatally shooting a 12-year-old boy in Minneapolis has pleaded guilty to his role in the crime. Letterance Grady, 42, entered his guilty plea on Friday to two counts of aiding an offender by being an accomplice after the fact and by harboring or concealing to avoid arrest for his role in the death of 12-year-old London Bean.
According to court records, Grady was accused of driving his son, then 18-year-old Jeremiah Grady, to and from the shooting scene in the Sumner-Glenwood neighborhood of Minneapolis on Sept. 8, 2021. Jeremiah arrived at a house and fired shots at Bean as the 12-year-old was involved in a fight with his younger brother, resulting in Bean getting shot in the chest and abdomen. Despite being taken to the hospital, Bean later died from his injuries.
Initially, Letterance denied his involvement, but surveillance videos captured him driving his son to the scene, and Jeremiah claimed that his father encouraged him to retaliate and told him to shoot from the car. As a result, prosecutors charged Letterance with multiple felonies, including aiding and abetting second-degree murder, aiding and abetting attempted second-degree murder, aiding and abetting second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, and aiding an offender.
Grady’s trial was scheduled to start on Jan. 2, 2024, but he submitted a change of plea just days before it was set to begin. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 5, and under the terms of the plea agreement, he could spend 10 years behind bars, according to court records. Meanwhile, Jeremiah was sentenced in August to 367 months for second-degree murder and 183 months for attempted second-degree murder in the deadly shooting of Bean. This case highlights the tragic consequences of violence and the impact it can have on communities, as well as the legal implications for those involved in aiding and abetting.
In conclusion, the guilty plea of Letterance Grady, father of Jeremiah Grady, brings a sense of closure to the tragic incident that led to the death of 12-year-old London Bean. This case also serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in cases of violence and the impact it has on families and communities.