Austin man found guilty on all charges in murder case in Mower County District Court

An Austin man charged with murdering a woman at a residence in Austin in July of 2021 has been found guilty on all charges in Mower County District Court.

On Wednesday, Judge Jeffery Kritzer found 29-year-old Me’darian Ledale Mcgruder guilty on felony charges of 2nd degree murder, with intent, not premeditated, 2nd degree murder, without intent, while committing a felony, being a violent felon in possession of a firearm, 2nd degree manslaughter, culpable negligence, creating unreasonable risk, and also for domestic assault, with all of the charges stemming from shooting death of 20-year-old Tyesha Gills at a residence in Austin on July 31st, 2021.

An amended felony charge of 3rd degree murder, perpetrating an eminently dangerous act, and evincing dangerous mind against Mcgruder was dismissed on February 9th.  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.  Mcgruder pleaded not guilty to the amended felony 3rd degree murder charge against him in the case on September 8th, 2023, and Mcgruder originally pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against him on October 28th, 2021.

Sentencing for Mcgruder in Mower County District Court has been scheduled for April  25th.