Frank Grace
11 years
Frank Grace was a local Black Panther leader in New Bedford. He was arrested over 40 times upon his return from the Vietnam War, but was never convicted of anything. Then, in 1974, Frank Grace was arrested and convicted of the first degree murder of a 19-year-old, who was shot to death in New Bedford while two of his friends watched. The two friends testified that Frank Grace was the shooter. They also said that Grace’s younger brother was an accomplice to the murder. However, one of the witnesses later changed his story, saying that Frank’s younger brother was actually the shooter. The witness said the first time he saw Frank was at the trial. Frank’s lawyers filed an appeal based on the newly discovered evidence of the recantation. Frank’s younger brother, Ross, also testified that he was the shooter. Grace had served almost 11 years in prison.
