Woman convicted in 2019 killing of Memphis pastor Brodes Perry faces sentencing in Shelby County court

Sentencing set after jury returns mixed verdict

A Shelby County jury has convicted Latoshia Daniels of second-degree murder in the April 4, 2019, shooting death of Brodes Perry, an executive pastor at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. Daniels was also convicted of reckless endangerment related to the shooting that wounded Perry’s wife, Tabatha, at an apartment in Collierville.

The case moved to sentencing after jurors rejected prosecutors’ first-degree murder theory but still concluded the killing met the legal standard for second-degree murder. Under Tennessee law, second-degree murder sentencing can span multiple decades, with the final term determined by the trial judge after a sentencing hearing that includes arguments from both sides and victim-impact statements.

What the jury decided, and what it did not

The verdict reflected a split outcome across the charges filed in the case. Daniels was found guilty of second-degree murder and reckless endangerment, while being acquitted on a firearms-related count. The jury’s decision meant the court proceeded under the sentencing framework for second-degree murder rather than the life-sentence exposure typical of first-degree murder convictions.

• Convictions: second-degree murder; reckless endangerment tied to the injury of Tabatha Perry.
• Acquittal: a firearm charge connected to the underlying felony allegations.
• Custody status: Daniels was taken into custody after the verdict and has remained jailed pending sentencing.

Key facts established at trial

Evidence presented at trial centered on the events inside the Collierville apartment where Brodes Perry and his wife were shot. Daniels testified during the proceedings and acknowledged shooting Perry, while disputing aspects of intent and circumstances surrounding the injury to Tabatha Perry.

Investigators identified a 9mm pistol as the weapon used in the shooting. Trial testimony also addressed the interpersonal relationship between Daniels and Perry and the timeline leading up to the confrontation, including Daniels’ travel from Arkansas to the Memphis area before the shooting.

At sentencing, the court is expected to weigh statutory factors, trial evidence, and the parties’ arguments to determine the length and structure of the sentence.

What happens at the sentencing hearing

The sentencing hearing, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to focus on how the court applies Tennessee’s sentencing rules to the convictions. Prosecutors can seek a sentence at the higher end of the allowable range, while the defense may argue for mitigation based on factors such as background, lack of prior criminal history, and circumstances presented during trial.

In addition to imprisonment, the court can impose conditions related to supervision and other statutory requirements. The hearing will also provide a formal opportunity for the victim’s family to address the court about the impact of the killing and the lasting consequences of the 2019 shooting.