A woman charged with the fatal shooting of a Tennessee pastor earlier this month for allegedly breaking her heart appeared in court Tuesday.
The woman Latoshia Daniels, 39, a licensed social worker from Little Rock, is accused of killing Brodes Perry, 36, the executive pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, who died after being shot on April 4. The pastor’s wife, Tabatha Perry, 42 was also wounded in the incident.
Daniels’ defense attorney Leslie Ballin entered a not guilty plea on her behalf on April 9. Ballin appeared with her client and co-counsel is Erika Ruch on Tuesday.
While Daniels’ attorneys didn’t request bail, they said it didn’t mean that they would not seek bail in the future News Channel 3 said.
The social worker who is the owner of The Root Behavioral Health and a certified anger management specialist, wiped away tear during the hearing.
“She’s not used to being where she is. She’s not feeling very well,” Ballin said. “She’s accused of the most serious crime a person can be accused of. She understands the gravity of it and I think her emotions are appropriate.”
A preliminary hearing for the case has been set for May 14 when a decision will be made on whether or not the case will go to trial. The state may call Tabatha Perry as a witness.
“At this point, we are taking the case slowly,” Ballin told News Channel 3. “This is not a marathon. This is not a mile sprint and we are just at the very beginning.”
Officers were called to the 1600 block of Elkstone Place in Collierville, Tennessee, on April 4 after residents reported hearing multiple gunshots and screams. The pastor and his wife were both found suffering from gunshot wounds while Daniels was still armed when officers arrived on the scene.
Tabatha Perry told officers Daniels showed up at their home unexpectedly on the night of the shooting. She allowed her inside their home because she knew Daniels. She said she was escorting Daniels back out when she brandished a handgun, started shooting and screaming “You broke my heart” at her husband.
Perry died at the Regional Medical Center while his wife was treated for her injuries.
Daniels was arrested and charged with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.
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