TYLER, Texas — Prosecutors said Friday the man accused of killing an East Texas pastor during a 2021 church shooting has sent numerous letters to the court explaining his version of events.
Mytrez Woolen, 25, is charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Pastor Mark McWilliams three years ago at Starrville Methodist Church in Winona. He is also accused of injuring William "Mike" Sellars. His trial is currently set for Sept. 16 in the 7th District Court with jury selection happening Sept. 12.
On Friday, Smith County Assistant District Attorney Heath Chamness said Woolen has sent several letters to the court and the Smith County District Attorney's Office. In light of this, the state requested a reconstruction of the scene to refute Woolen's descriptions of what happened.
Woolen's attorney Jeff Haas said the defense team has cautioned Woolen to not communicate with the court or the DA's Office. The hearing also revealed that Woolen has filed motions to dismiss the charge -- possibly based on the advice of another inmate.
Judge Kerry Russell told Woolen that as the judge, he is not allowed to look at these letters, but anything he sends to the court can be seen by the state.
Russell advised Woolen that the proper way to communicate or ask questions is through his defense attorneys, adding the lawyers are there to file motions in his best interest.
Woolen said he understood the judge, and later said he had questions about the jury selection and evidence, which were then explained.
The state is not seeking the death penalty for Woolen because he has a "verified mental illness," Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman said previously. If a person is convicted of capital murder, they face either the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
In January, Russell revealed that Woolen was successfully returned to mental competency after receiving treatment at a mental hospital and was treated. He had been found incompetent to stand trial in December 2021.
BACKGROUND
According to the arrest affidavit, on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, Smith County deputies were called to the scene of the church, located at 17339 Farm-to-Market Road 16.
Rosemary McWiliams, the pastor's wife, claimed she and her husband had found someone in their church and her husband had been shot. She told authorities the suspected shooter, identified later as Woolen, stole a pickup truck to escape the area.
When deputies arrived on scene, they found Sellars sitting outside the church with what appeared to be gunshot wounds, according to the affidavit. Sellars told officials when he arrived at the church, he heard gunshots coming from inside. He then saw Woolen coming toward the front door and Woolen began shooting toward him. Sellars tried to run for cover, but he was shot before Woolen drove off.
A witness told investigators Pastor McWilliams opened a bathroom door and put up his hands. The pastor then told Woolen, who was holding the church's money bag, to leave the church. The witness said the pastor continued to tell Woolen to leave and took out his handgun.
The affidavit said Woolen rushed toward Pastor McWilliams and the two began fighting on the ground. Woolen took the gun from the pastor and shot him several times in the chest, the affidavit read.
The document explained that Woolen started shooting at the pastor's wife who was hiding by the stove. The witness said Woolen demanded his truck keys and ran out of the church.
Law enforcement used ONSTAR to see the vehicle was headed east on Interstate 20 toward Marshall. ONSTAR disabled the vehicle and during a traffic stop, Woolen was taken into custody and the church's money bag was found in the vehicle.
Pastor McWilliams died from his injuries, while Sellars was sustained non-life threatening injuries that required surgery. Rosemary was injured in a fall.
Woolen remains in the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling $3.5 million.