MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Plymouth 17-year-old convicted in the beating death of another teen as part of a gang initiation at Theodore Wirth Park will serve at least 21 years in prison before he's eligible for release.

Hennepin County Judge Dan Mabley on Friday sentenced Emmanuel Garmedhem Myles to 31 years.

Myles was 16 when he and other teens used their hands, feet and a shovel to beat 17-year-old James Teto Grant of Brooklyn Park in July.

The Star Tribune reports the judge agreed with prosecutors that the killing was particularly harsh.

The complaint says that after the victim died, the teens started digging a grave, but then tied a stolen car battery to his leg and dumped his body in a pond in Golden Valley. A kayaker found him eight days later.

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