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Iowa man previously convicted of murder for fatal shooting found guilty again in new trial

A Des Moines man who was found guilty of premeditated murder last year and given a new trial has been convicted again by a Polk County jury — this time of first-degree murder. Andrew Jerome Harris of Des Moines was arrested after Tyrell Grimes, 38, was shot and killed outside Rico's Bar in the Drake neighborhood in August 2022. Previous video above: Judge orders new trial for man convicted in fatal Des Moines shooting. In November 2023, a Polk County jury found Harris guilty of first-degree murder. Prosecutors had argued that Harris shot Grimes outside Rico's minutes after an argument. Harris told police it was self-defense because he believed Grimes posed a threat to him. In February, Harris was granted a new trial after a judge ruled that evidence previously disregarded in the first trial was in fact admissible. According to court records, before the shooting, Grimes allegedly told Harris, “I thought I told you the next time I see you, I'm going to kill you.” During the first trial, the judge ruled the statement was hearsay and could not be admitted before the jury. A new trial was held this week, and on Wednesday, a Polk County jury found Harris guilty of second-degree murder after four hours of deliberation. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 15. Second-degree murder is punishable by up to 50 years in prison.» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI

DES MOINES, Iowa —

A Des Moines man who was found guilty of first-degree murder last year and granted a retrial has been found guilty again by a Polk County jury – this time of first-degree murder.

Andrew Jerome Harris of Des Moines was arrested after 38-year-old Tyrell Grimes was shot and killed outside Rico's Bar in the Drake neighborhood in August 2022.

Previous video above: Judge orders new trial for man convicted in fatal shooting in Des Moines

In November 2023, a jury in Polk County found Harris guilty of first-degree murder. Prosecutors had argued that Harris shot Grimes minutes after an argument outside Rico's.

Harris told police it was self-defense because he believed Grimes posed a threat to him.

In February, Harris was granted a retrial after a judge ruled that evidence that had not been considered in the first trial was admissible.

According to court documents, before the shooting, Grimes told Harris, “I thought I told you I was going to kill you the next time I saw you.” During the first trial, the judge ruled that the statement was based on hearsay and was not admissible before the jury.

A new trial took place this week, and on Wednesday a Polk County jury found Harris guilty of first-degree murder after four hours of deliberation.

The verdict is scheduled for October 15. In the case of intentional murder, the prison sentence can be up to 50 years.

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