The Memphis teenager who allegedly murdered a pastor during an attempted carjacking will remain out on bond after his family retained a new lawyer last week, just days before prosecutors expected him to accept a plea agreement.
Miguel Andrade, 16, who allegedly murdered a popular pastor Rev. Dr. Autura Eason-Williams during an attempted carjacking, will remain out on bond until January 30 after Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Paula L. Skahan granted a delay following the Andrade family’s decision to hire a new lawyer, according to Daily Memphian.
Police said Andrade (pictured above) and an unnamed 16-year-old attacked Eason-Williams in the driveway of her home in July 2022, with the goal of stealing her vehicle, News Channel 3 reported. The outlet added that security video shows the teens driving in Eason-Williams’ vehicle shortly after the attack, according to police.
Andrade’s $200,000 bond was paid in February of 2023, and News Channel 3 reported at the time that Andrade would only be allowed to leave his home to go to school, and must immediately return. Andrade was reportedly on probation, and wearing an ankle monitor, when the crime was committed.
His new attorney, Ken Brashier, told the outlet he was hired by Andrade’s family last week. He was successfully granted a two-month delay to familiarize himself with the case, but prosecutors told the outlet the move blindsided them.
“We believed this case, in good faith, would be resolved today,” Assistant District Attorney Forrest Edwards reportedly stated.
He added, “We communicated that to the victim’s family, and every single day that this case is pending is an injustice.”
While she approved the extension, Skahan reportedly expressed concern about the case, noting that Andrade “has been out on bond” while his unnamed teenage co-defendant has remained in custody.
Former Mayor Jim Strickland suggested to Action News 5 that District Attorney Steve Mulrow is to blame for soft-on crime policies in February interview with Action News 5, when he was still serving as mayor. However, when he was running for office against former District Attorney Amy Weirich, Mulrow cited Eason-Williams’ murder as evidence Weirich’s office was soft on criminals.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently determined to devote more resources to Memphis, which has experienced a violent crime surge and has already broken its annual homicide record. Law enforcement and prosecutors in the city will have access to prosecutors from the DOJ’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, as well as “investigative agents, analysts, and forensic experts from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the [Memphis Police Department].”
– – –
Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
