Wrongful death suit filed in connection with preacher killing
LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - The widow of Pastor Ronald Harris is suing the man who allegedly killed him. Harris was shot and killed during a church revival at Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center.
One can only imagine the horror of seeing a loved one gunned down. But that's allegedly what happened to Harris' family.
His wife, Frances Harris, has filed a wrongful death suit against the man who allegedly killed her husband -- Woodrow Karey, being held in jail.
Plaintiff attorney Ron Richard said Mrs. Harris deserves to be compensated for what she went through .
"Sister Harris was present in the church when the shooting and death occurred. It occurred directly in front of her and in front of her grandchildren, her mother in law, her own children. And, of course, they experienced pain and suffering, mental anguish and other things that you can imagine would occur to someone who witnesses such an event," said Richard.
The suit says the murder was premeditated and intentional by Karey and describes how he allegedly shot Harris from a distance and then came closer to deliver the kill shot.
"In the final shot, the shooter, the defendant in this matter, was alleged to literally be within feet, if not inches, of Reverend Harris and his family when the shot occurred. As you can imagine they're distraught with grief, especially Sister Harris. Remember this is a woman now without a husband," said Richard.
Besides the trauma and suffering of seeing the killing and losing her husband, Richard said the couple was raising two grandchildren.
"She is now going to raise grandchildren by herself without the support and help of her husband," said Richard.
Karey is in jail, booked for second-degree murder. His bond is set at $1 million.
Attorneys Adam Johnson and Todd Clemons are representing Karey in the criminal case against him. They say they have not received a copy of the lawsuit, but that they look forward to defending Karey against any allegation. They describe Karey as a man of character, integrity and faith.
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