In the autumn of 2014, the community of Memphis, Tennessee, was shaken by the tragic death of Don Smith, a 57-year-old African American man who served as the pastor of Prospect Park Missionary Baptist Church. On November 1, his body was discovered by two men walking their dogs near a pond in the Hickory Hill area. He had been fatally shot.
The investigation into Pastor Smith's death quickly revealed that he was the victim of a robbery that turned violent.
His wallet and his 2010 Buick LaCrosse were missing from the scene. The circumstances of his death were particularly heartbreaking for his family, who believed his inherent kindness and willingness to help others may have made him a target. They suspected he had stopped to assist someone in need when he was killed.
Within days, law enforcement located the pastor's stolen vehicle in Greenville, Mississippi. The occupants, 24-year-old Lashonda Williams and 23-year-old Roger Reed Jr., were arrested on November 5. The couple had brazenly taken pictures of themselves smiling and kissing inside the stolen car, posting them on social media in the days following the murder.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Smith had encountered Reed and Williams with an agreement for a sexual transaction. However, the encounter took a dark turn when Reed shot the pastor in the head, robbing him of his watch and $40. After the murder, the pair disposed of Smith's body in a wooded area off Lichterman Road and fled in his car.
In the ensuing legal proceedings, Roger Reed Jr. was convicted of first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery. He received a life sentence for the murder, with an additional 21 years to be served consecutively for the robbery charge. Lashonda Williams, who testified against her boyfriend, pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit first-degree murder. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in the crime.
