Final suspect pleads guilty in pastor’s death

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The last of three suspects charged in the death of a Memphis pastor pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder.

Eduard Rodgriguez-Tabora pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Dr. Autura Eason-Williams, a Memphis pastor who was killed in her own driveway during a carjacking in July of 2022.

Tabora will have to serve 20 years in prison.

The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said that his information has been turned over to Immigration and Customs for deportation to his native country, Honduras.

Tabora will serve his sentence in Tennessee before being deported.

Now that Tabora is being held accountable, Dr. Eason-Williams’ best friend, Dr. Birgitte French said she can find a path toward peace.

“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 said.

Dr. French told WREG she was on the phone with Dr. Eason-Williams when she was in her driveway on Whitehaven Lane when a car with two suspects pulled up.

Miguel Andrade, another suspect in this case, fired shots into Eason-Williams’ vehicle, then pulled her out of the car and drove away in it, prosecutors said.

“I heard shots and then I heard a lot of tumultion and a door slammed and I heard the car drive away,” Dr. French said.

Later, the suspects carjacked another person and crashed that vehicle.

In February, Andrade pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years for that charge. He was also given a consecutive eight-year sentence for carjacking.

The other teen involved pleaded guilty in juvenile court.

Dr. French said that she has 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. He’s the grown up, he should have known better,” Dr. French said. “He should have told the kids, ‘Hey this is getting out of hand let’s get away from here.”

But they didn’t and Dr. French said now a community is left without a faith leader and her without a best friend.

With her and Dr. Eason-Williams being faith leaders, she said she will turn to scripture moving forward.

She’s slated to give her victim impact statement next week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.