COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – There was a surprise twist in a local courtrooom Tuesday afternoon for an Arkansas social worker charged in the deadly shooting of a Memphis pastor.
Latoshia Daniels, 39, is accused of killing Brodes Perry in front of his wife last month in what investigators believe was a love triangle gone sour.
Perry’s wife, who was also shot but survived, was set to testify at Daniels’ preliminary hearing.
But instead, Daniels’ legal team waived that hearing and the case now goes to a Shelby County grand jury.
Daniels is charged with first-degree murder, criminal attempt of first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest. She pleaded not guilty April 8th at her first court appearance.
As she did at that court appearance, Daniels again wiped tears and showed visible emotion in court Tuesday afternoon.
Investigators said last month that Daniels, a certified anger management specialist, drove from Little Rock to the Collierville apartment complex where Perry and his wife Tabatha lived. He was shot April 4 at the Meridian Park Apartments and died the next day at the hospital.
According to the affidavit, Perry’s wife said Daniels told Perry “you broke my heart” before shooting the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church executive pastor several times.
Records show Daniels was a member of the pastor’s former church in Arkansas and worked with him at a non-profit organization.
“Not understanding what it’s like to be in jail myself, I would imagine you get used to any of your surroundings, no matter how difficult they may be so it appears she is adapting to where she is, she is better today than she was yesterday,” says Leslie Ballin, Daniels’ Attorney.
Daniels will remain in jail without bond.
Her attorney says the grand jury is expected to take up the case in the next three to four months.
More than a dozen of Daniels’ family members and friends were in the courtroom Tuesday but declined comment afterward.