A beloved Mobile, Alabama, pastor was allegedly shot dead by his daughter, WKRG reports.
Pastor Robert Matthews of Joy Tabernacle Full Gospel Church died after Charity Matthews allegedly shot her father on the evening of Oct. 20 at the Matthews’ residence in Mobile.
Matthews’ wife, Twinetta, was injured from gunshot windows and was expected to survive.
Charity Matthews, 36, was arrested at the scene. Her charges include two
counts of attempted murder, one count of murder, and one count of reckless endangerment as her two young children were in the household at the time. Charity Matthews’ mental health evaluation will determine if she is eligible for the death penalty.“We’ve already started the process of having her mentally evaluated to make sure that she is competent to face these charges and then her competency at the time of the offense will be evaluated later,” explained Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood. “Going and doing this to family members and people that she knew. It’s a very terrible thing. We’re going to hold her accountable for that.”
The day prior to reportedly shooting her parents, officials revealed that Charity Matthews shot at her brother’s car. Later that day, she also shot at the father of one of her two children.
She remains detained due to Aniah’s Law, which allows judges to deny bonds for those charged with violent crimes. The law takes its name from Aniah Blanchard, an Alabama co-ed who was kidnapped and killed, allegedly by a man with a violent criminal history.
“When I found out it was the Matthews family there really are no words,” explained close friend Shavon Buchanan to Fox 10. “Something that you would never expect. It’s almost like living in a nightmare only because they are such a good family.”
Buchanan remembered Charity Matthews as a “loving person” who struggled.
If Charity Matthews charges are upgraded to capital murder, she could face the death penalty if found guilty for the killing.
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