Austin man pleads not guilty to six charges in murder case in Mower County District Court

An Austin man accused of murdering a woman in Austin in July of 2021 has pleaded not guilty to all six charges against him in Mower County District Court.

At a pretrial hearing Thursday, 29-year-old Me’darian Ledale Mcgruder pleaded not guilty to felony charges of 2nd degree murder, with intent, not premeditated, 2nd degree murder, without intent, while committing a felony, plus Mcgruder also pleaded not guilty to an amended felony charge of 3rd degree murder, perpetrating eminently dangerous act and evincing dangerous mind, being a violent felon in possession of a firearm, 2nd degree manslaughter, culpable negligence, creating unreasonable risk, and Mcgruder also pleaded not guilty to a felony charge for domestic assault, with all of the charges stemming from shooting death of 20-year-old Tyesha Gills in Austin on July 31st, 2021.

Mcgruder is being held in the Mower County jail on $1 million bail or bond with conditions, and $2 million without conditions.  Mcgruder’s trial in Mower County District Court is scheduled to start on February 5th.