Church’s Chicken shooting suspect wants case thrown out

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The woman accused of shooting a Church’s Chicken employee to death appeared back in front of a judge Wednesday morning.

Monica Williams , 45, is charged with first-degree murder for the fatal shooting that claimed the life of Anitra West.

Although Williams was captured on video, the defense says that may not be enough to move forward and wants the case thrown out.

Williams is accused of shooting West last week while she was working at Church’s Chicken in Orange Mound. According to the affidavit, it all stemmed from an argument.

However, Williams’ attorney says it’s what you don’t see in the report that he could capitalize on.

“Reviewing the affidavit – we haven’t seen any witnesses in this case and maybe also making a motion to dismiss,” said Scott Hall, Williams’ Defense Attorney.

Sitting five rows away from Williams in court were half a dozen of her family members. Williams, who has mostly appeared unemotional, could be seen wiping away tears before lowering her mask, smiling, mouthing words, and finally giving her family an ‘okay’ hand gesture.

But District Attorney Steve Mulroy says nothing about this case is okay.

“Ordinary disputes, ordinary beef that would have been at the most a shoving match are now fatal,” Mulroy said. “It means we need tougher gun laws, but it also means we need to be extra vigilant in bringing these people to justice.”

Mulroy also addressed the defense’s claim about any possible lack of witnesses saying, “It’s not unusual for us to get convictions based on surveillance, even if there are no actual live witnesses.”

A bond hearing for Williams is set to happen in court on Monday morning. Defense Attorney Scott Hall says the bond hearing could allow the victim’s loved ones to also address the court.

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