MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – A Minneapolis man, Letterance Demont Grady, 42, pleaded guilty to charges on Friday in connection with his role in a shooting that killed a 12-year-old boy in September 2021. The plea deal calls for him to serve just over 10 years in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for Feb. 5.
Grady was charged with two counts of second-degree murder with intent and one count of felony aiding an offender to avoid arrest by harboring or concealing in November 2021. These charges were dismissed in April 2023 due to the unavailability of the lead attorney from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. However, the prosecution refiled charges against Grady a day later, which included four counts of second-degree murder and two counts of aiding an offender.
According to court records, an amended complaint was filed on Dec. 6, which added a count of aiding and abetting second-degree assault. In August, Grady’s son, Jeremiah Marquise Grady, was sentenced to just over 30 years in prison for the murder of 12-year-old London Bean in north Minneapolis. Jeremiah pleaded guilty to the charges in May, according to court documents.
The incident took place on Sept. 8, 2021, following a physical fight between Bean and Jeremiah Grady’s younger brother. Police say Jeremiah Grady was arrested and charged after he approached from the back of the property, wearing a mask and all black, and began shooting, hitting Bean twice. Surveillance video showed Letterance Grady driving his son to and from the scene of the crime.
During police interviews, Jeremiah Grady revealed that his father encouraged him to retaliate and instructed him to shoot from the car. Grady is not accused of actually pulling the trigger, but prosecutors argue that he bears partial responsibility for Bean’s death.
The sentencing of Letterance Grady is set for February 5, with the plea deal calling for just over 10 years in prison. This comes after charges were dismissed and then refiled due to the unavailability of the lead attorney from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The case will continue to unfold as the sentencing date approaches.