35 Years for Black Persistent Offender Who Stabbed White ‘Special Needs’ Man to Death

KLTV
October 24, 2014

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Tony Jeter is on the right, seen here with family members.

A man charged in the stabbing death of a Tyler man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to 35 years in prison.

John Grimes IV, 25, of Tyler, was sentenced Monday in the death of Tony Jeter, 65, of Tyler, according to District Attorney Matt Bingham.

Grimes IV was arrested in December on a Capital Murder warrant in connection with Jeter’s death. Jeter, who according to his family, had special needs, was found dead at his home on Bow street.

“I’ll never forget Tony,” his half-brother Charles Sanchez said at the time. “Every time I come over here I’ll always see him.”

Sanchez visited Jeter daily, making sure his special needs brother had everything he needed before bed at night. Sanchez said at the time that he believed Jeter was likely taken advantage of due to his mental condition.

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John Grimes IV had a string of previous convictions before this one.

Police said robbery was likely the motive in the killing.

According to Smith County Judicial records, Grimes has been arrested at least eight times since 2007. Various charges include: Failure to Appear/ Bail Jumping, Assault Family Violence, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Assault Causing Bodily Injury to a Family Member, Public Intoxication, Possession of Marijuana, and Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility.

Court records show Grimes pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor Assault charge in March, felony Possession of a Controlled Substance charge in February, and misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana charge in 2009.