Memphis Community Mourns Loss of Pastor After Guilty Plea from Last Suspect
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The streets of Memphis are filled with a mix of sorrow and determination after the last of three suspects charged in the tragic death of beloved pastor Dr. Autura Eason-Williams formally pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Eduard Rodriguez-Tabora acknowledged his role in the heinous crime that took place in July of 2022, a day that would change so many lives forever.
Justice Served, But Healing Is a Journey
Rodriguez-Tabora’s guilty plea came on Tuesday, bringing some sense of closure to a community still grappling with the aftermath of such violence. He has been sentenced to serve 20 years in prison. Following his time in Tennessee, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced that he would be handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation back to his home country, Honduras.
A Heartfelt Message from a Best Friend
As the legal process unfolds, friends and family are left with the emotional weight of this loss. Dr. Birgitte French, pastor Eason-Williams’ best friend, spoke with a sense of both grief and forgiveness. “If Jesus can forgive the people that did this to him, I must find it in me to forgive those who have done this heinous crime,” Dr. French expressed with a heavy heart.
Dr. French was tragically on the phone with Dr. Eason-Williams when the violent act occurred in her driveway on Whitehaven Lane. She recounted the harrowing experience, saying, “I heard shots and then I heard a lot of tumult, a door slamming, and the car driving away.” It’s a scene that no one should have to witness, and yet, for some, it has become a painful reality.
Understanding the Full Picture
Investigators revealed that after the carjacking incident involving Dr. Eason-Williams, the suspects went on to steal another vehicle, leading to a crash shortly thereafter. In February of this year, another suspect, Miguel Andrade, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as well. He received a 20-year sentence, along with an additional eight years for carjacking, indicating the severity of the crimes committed.
Meanwhile, the third suspect involved, who was a juvenile at the time, pled guilty in a separate juvenile court case. Dr. French shared her feelings, saying, “I have forgiven the younger suspects, but it’s been difficult giving that same grace to Tabora. I am glad that he has admitted that he was part of it, but he should have known better.”
Finding Strength Through Faith
The impact of Dr. Eason-Williams’ death reverberates throughout the Memphis community. A faith leader and a cherished friend, her absence is deeply felt, and now Dr. French finds herself in the role of both mourner and advocate for peace. She plans to present a victim impact statement next week, sharing how this tragedy has transformed her life and the lives of countless others.
“He should have led those younger individuals and said, ‘Hey, this is getting out of hand, let’s get away from here.’ But instead, the community is left without a faith leader and I’m left without my best friend,” Dr. French lamented.
In this time of reflection, Dr. French recalls the scriptures that guide her. “Turning to my faith is how I will manage going forward. It’s the only way I can move past this,” she shared with a sense of hope.
Community Support and Moving Forward
The Memphis community rallies around one another, while grappling with the complex emotions surrounding this tragedy. As they navigate the ups and downs of grief and forgiveness, the hope remains that healing can prevail and that the spirit of Dr. Eason-Williams continues to inspire and uplift those she touched both personally and spiritually.
In the midst of sadness, the resolve to foster love and understanding shines brightly—something that Dr. Eason-Williams would surely have wanted.
