A former Vassar High School coach is receiving community support from many prominent Vassar residents, despite being placed on administrative leave in September after it came to light that he was accused of perpetrating domestic violence against a woman he dated and shares a child with.
Lawrence “Larry” McGrandy pleaded guilty on Monday, November 7 to second-degree home invasion and domestic violence in Tuscola County Circuit Court, but as the Tuscola Advertiser reported, Circuit Court Judge Amy Gierhart is currently wading through more than a dozen letters on McGrandy’s behalf, written by the likes of Vassar’s city manager, the police chief, district superintendent and even a Tuscola County commissioner, asking for leniency.
Despite the fact that first degree home invasion and malicious destruction of property exceeding $1000 was dropped from his list of charges as part of his plea, McGrandy hasn’t been found to be involved in any other crimes prior to this incident, asserts Police Chief Ben Guile, who instead praised McGrandy and cited knowing him for 25 years both as a coach and community member.
McGrandy, who Vassar city manager Andrew Niedzinkski, called “a true asset” to the community, allegedly entered an unlocked Fremont Township home shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 27, having tracked down the female victim via the OnStar systems both of them had in their vehicles when she didn’t return home the prior night. Once he found her in the home, he assaulted her, pushing her against a counter, grabbing hard enough for deputies to see the resulting bruises, and destroying property such as a washer/dryer unit, a trash can, and a closet door.
The woman told sheriff deputies that this wasn’t McGrandy’s first time destroying property, ripping her clothes and trashing her makeup over the past few years because he suspected she was having an affair. The homeowner, a man who police say doesn’t know McGrandy, wanted to press charges against the former wrestler for property damage, estimated to be just over $1100. It is not clear if he did pursue charges against McGrandy.
The 43-year-old McGrandy is due to be sentenced on Monday, January 23, facing a maximum of 15 years for felony second-degree home invasion, as well as 93 days on a misdemeanor count of domestic violence.
