Defendant turns down plea deal in Memphis pastor’s death
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The man charged in connection with the deadly carjacking and fatal shooting of Rev. Dr. Autura Eason Williams pleaded not guilty Monday, sending the case to trial.
Eduard Rodriguez-Tabora declined the state’s offer of 35 years with the possibility for parole in 16 years for first-degree murder in facilitation.
Rodriguez-Tabora is now set to go to trial on September 30. His report date is set for July 16.
Last year, one teen waived his right to a hearing, pleading guilty to his part, and has since been turned over to the Department of Children Services until the age of 19
Pastor’s husband to teen who killed his wife: ‘I wish for you to die’
The second teen — Miguel Andrade, who’s now 16 — pleaded guilty this month to second-degree murder and carjacking. He is serving 100 percent of a 28-year sentence.
Eason-Williams was in her driveway on Whitehaven Lane when a car with two suspects pulled up on July 18, 2022, according to a statement read in court by prosecutors.
They reportedly fired shots into her vehicle, then pulled her out of the car and drove away in it, prosecutors said.
Eason-Williams’ husband gave a victim impact statement during the hearing, speaking to Andrade:
“I wish for you to die. I will never forgive you. I hope all your family … feels the worst pain imaginable with you being locked up. But it will never measure up to my pain,” Darrell Eason-Williams said. “I have no remorse for you. I wish the worst for you.”
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