Latoshia Daniels’ Son Cries During Murder Sentencing

Latoshia Daniels was sentenced to 20 years in prison for second-degree murder on February 24, 2026, in the 2019 shooting death of Pastor Brodes Perry, after her son took the stand in tears and asked the court for leniency. Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Fitzgerald rejected the defense’s request for 13.5 years, calling the killing “senseless.” The Latoshia Daniels sentencing also included 11 months and 29 days for reckless endangerment, to run concurrently.¹

Her Son’s Tearful Testimony

Daniels’ son, whose name was not publicly reported, testified through tears that his mother was a loving person who devoted herself to helping others.² He also spoke about her emotional state and personal strength.³

He was one of two witnesses called by the defense. Daniels’ cousin, Andreka Brock, who described herself as a sister to Daniels, also cried on the stand. She told the court that Daniels was “remorseful” and asked for “compassion and the opportunity for redemption.” Over a dozen of Daniels’ family members, friends, and colleagues attended the hearing in support.²

Perry’s widow, Tabatha Perry Archie, and two of Perry’s sisters attended via Zoom.²

What Daniels Said in Court

Daniels addressed the court and apologized directly to Perry’s widow and family. “To Tabatha, I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you, and I pray that all of you guys will forgive me,” she said. “I’m godly sorry, and I know it doesn’t take back what has happened, nor does it negate what has happened, but I want you to know that I am so sorry for the pain that I’ve caused you.”²

Defense attorney Lauren Fuchs pointed to Daniels’ lack of criminal history, her mental health crisis at the time of the shooting, and the work she had done while incarcerated. During the roughly four years Daniels spent in jail awaiting trial, she wrote two books, one for incarcerated mothers and one for children whose mothers are in jail.⁴ The defense asked for 13.5 years.³

Why the Judge Rejected Leniency

Judge Fitzgerald was unmoved. “That’s senseless, you know, senseless. To kill someone because he would not walk to her car,” she said. She added that “although the victim was a pastor who did not treat her right and he broke her heart, a broken heart does not justify someone dying.”²

The judge imposed 20 years for second-degree murder. Daniels’ defense team has indicated it plans to appeal.³

The Crime Behind the Sentence

On April 4, 2019, Daniels bought a 9mm Ruger pistol and ammunition at Fort Thompson Sporting Goods in Sherwood, Arkansas, and drove roughly three hours to the Collierville, Tennessee, apartment of Brodes Perry, a 36-year-old executive pastor at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis.⁵⁶ Daniels and Perry had been involved in what Daniels described as a two-year affair that began during marriage counseling sessions in early 2017.⁷

Perry’s wife, Tabatha Perry Archie, let Daniels into the apartment about 30 minutes before Perry arrived home. When Archie tried to escort Daniels out, Daniels began shooting. Archie testified that Daniels said “You broke my heart” during the attack before shooting her in the shoulder. Perry was struck by five bullets, with fatal wounds to his head and abdomen.⁶⁷

On November 7, 2025, a Shelby County jury convicted Daniels of second-degree murder and reckless endangerment, rejecting the prosecution’s charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder. Prosecutor Kevin McAlpin said afterward, “We had proved that it was a knowing killing of another person, but we just didn’t quite get there on premeditation.”⁵ The defense had focused on Daniels’ mental health, presenting testimony from forensic psychiatry expert Dr. Amanda Bitting about major depressive disorder, childhood abuse, and previous suicide attempts, though Bitting acknowledged there was no evidence Daniels could not understand the wrongfulness of her actions at the time of the shooting.⁷

1
Court TV. Latoshia Daniels Offers Apology at Sentencing
2
Action News 5. Woman Sentenced to 20 Years for Murder of Pastor
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WREG. Sentencing Hearing Set for Woman Who Killed Memphis Pastor
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Action News 5. Jury Finds Woman Guilty of Lesser Charges in 2019 Murder of Memphis Pastor
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WREG. Closing Arguments to Begin in Trial of Woman Accused of Killing Memphis Pastor
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Commercial Appeal. New Details on Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church Pastor Brodes Perry
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Court TV. Latoshia Daniels Takes Stand Detailing Pastors Affair and Deadly Shooting