Police: Suspect in Pastor Murder Acted After Wife’s Rape Accusation

Possible motive in shocking church killing

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The wife of a man charged with killing a Louisiana pastor just before his church sermon had recently accused the preacher of rape, authorities said Monday.

Woodrow Karey allegedly shot and killed Ronald Harris Sr., as Harris prepared to deliver his sermon on Friday, the Associated Press reports. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso said that Karey’s wife and Pastor Harris had exchanged text messages in the days leading up to a rape complaint, but that it was unclear whether their sexual relationship was consensual or not. He declined to elaborate on or release the rape complaint, citing the continuing investigation

Karey allegedly shot Pastor Harris in church, in front of the preacher’s relatives and other church-goers.  “He came in down the middle aisle. He shot at my daddy,” Harris’s daughter said. “My daddy ran. He shot him in the back. When he fell, he came closer and shot him again.”

[AP]