Suspects take selfies inside slain pastor's car


A couple arrested in connection with the Nov. 1 killing of Whitehaven pastor the Rev. Don Smith apparently were joyriding in the pastor's stolen 2010 Buick Lacrosse in days after the pastor's killing.

The Greenville, Mississippi  couple also posted their adventures all over social media.

Lashonda Williams, 24, and Roger Reed Jr., 23, were arrested Nov. 5 some 150 miles south of Memphis and were charged with first-degree murder and aggravated robbery.

The photos Williams and Reed took inside of the pastor's stolen car are disturbing. The two seem carefree and happy a day after Smith's body was found shot to death on the side of a road.

Even their arresting officers are shocked at their callousness.

"It just shows how egregious this crime is, you know, that some people, their conscience doesn't bother them," said Greenville, Mississippi, Assistant Chief of Police Delando Wilson. "They have been suspected of a heinous crime. To joyride in the victim's vehicle is pretty heartless."

Greenville police confirms the Facebook photos show Williams and her boyfriend Reed posing inside the pastor's stolen Lacrosse. One of the selfies posted shows the two even kissing. Some of the photos were taken Nov. 2, a day after the the pastor's body was found along a pond in Hickory Hill.

The couple was caught in the stolen car after a brief chase in Greenvile four days later.

"Last Wednesday (Nov. 5) patrol cars found the car and attempted to stop the vehicle, "Wilson told FOX13 News. "They refused to stop at some point the suspects abandoned the vehicle."

The two were caught after a brief chase. They remain behind bars in Greenville and are awaiting extradition back to Memphis.

"They are being held on charges of being in possession of a stolen vehicle and then Memphis does have a active homicide warrant for both suspects," Wilson said. "They have agreed to be extradited back to Memphis."

Family members said they don't recognize the couple and believe robbery was the motive.

"The only thing I can see is my daddy trying to help someone in the middle of the night which is something he would do that," said Whitney Smith, victim's daughter. "The kind of person he was, people might have thought he was naive because helps everyone even if he shouldn't."

The 57-year-old Rev. Smith had been the pastor of Prospect Park Baptist Church for nearly 30 years. He was laid to rest one week after his death. 

He was expected to celebrate his 30-year anniversary with Prospect Park Baptist Church later this month.