MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A teen indicted for the murder of beloved Memphis pastor Dr. Autura Eason-Williams has pleaded guilty to lesser charges as the case continues against an adult who was also indicted.
Originally facing first-degree murder, Miguel Andrade, who was 15 at the time of his arrest and charged as an adult, pleaded guilty in court Feb. 1, 2024, to a charge of second-degree murder in the killing of Dr. Autura Eason-Williams, and carjacking in another crime which happened the same day as the murder. He was sentenced to 20 years for the murder and eight years for the carjacking charge, for a total of 28 years in prison.
"You have enjoyed your freedom and your vacation and your holidays long enough," said Darrell Eason-Williams, Rev. Eason-Williams husband, during the sentencing. "Now it's time to pay for the precious life you took and changed my life and many, many more forever for the worse."
The case continues against 21-year-old Eduard Rodriguez-Tabora, who was indicted on two counts each of first-degree murder and a count of especially aggravated robbery. Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy said the first count of first-degree murder relates to premediated killing, while the second related to killing Eason-Williams during a robbery.
Court records show Tabora remains behind bars on $1 million bond.
A 17-year-old who was charged in the case reached a deal in January and was placed into the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children Services until age 19. Prosecutors said the boy admitted to committing delinquent acts, which included first degree murder.
Dr. Eason-Williams, District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church's Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference's Metro District, was shot and killed July 18, 2022, in the driveway of her home on Whitehaven Lane, during a carjacking.
According to a police affidavit, Tabora admitted to investigators that he was with two teens when Eason-Williams was killed, and they stole her Infiniti. ABC24 previously learned Andrade was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the pastor’s killing.