Man accused of killing East Texas pastor sent multiple letters

TYLER, Texas — Editor's note: The above video aired on May 10, 2024.

Prosecutors said Friday that the man accused of killing an East Texas pastor in a 2021 church shooting sent numerous letters to the court laying out his version of events.

Mytrez Woolen, 24, is charged with capital crimes in connection with the death of Pastor Mark McWilliams three years ago at the Starrville Methodist Church in Winona. He is also accused Injury to William “Mike” SellarsHis trial is currently scheduled for September 16 in 7th District Court, with jury selection on September 12.

On Friday, Smith County Assistant District Attorney Heath Chamness said Woolen sent several letters to the court and the Smith County District Attorney's Office, requesting that the state reconstruct the crime scene to refute Woolen's descriptions of what happened.

Woolen's attorney, Jeff Haas, said the defense team warned Woolen not to communicate with the court or prosecutors. The hearing also revealed that Woolen has filed several motions to dismiss the charges, possibly on the advice of another inmate.

Judge Kerry Russell told Woolen that as a judge he was not allowed to see those letters, but the state could see anything he sent to the court.

Russell explained to Woolen that the proper way to communicate or ask questions was through his defense attorneys, adding that the attorneys were there to make motions in his best interest.

Woolen said he understood the judge and later said he had questions about jury selection and the evidence, which were then explained to him.

The state is not seeking the death penalty for Woolen because he has a “proven mental illness,” Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman previously said. When a person is convicted of capital crimes, they face either the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

In January, Russell announced that Woolen had successfully regained his composure and was receiving treatment after being treated at a psychiatric hospital. In December 2021, he was declared unfit to stand trial.

According to the arrest affidavit, Smith County officers were called to the scene of the church at 17339 Farm-to-Market Road 16 on Sunday, January 3, 2021.

Rosemary McWiliams, the pastor's wife, claimed she and her husband found someone in their church and her husband had been shot. She told authorities the suspected shooter, later identified as Woolen, stole a pickup truck to flee the area.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Sellars sitting outside the church with gunshot wounds, according to the affidavit. Sellars told officers that when he arrived at the church, he heard gunshots coming from inside. He then saw Woolen approaching the front door and Woolen began shooting at him. Sellars tried to take cover, but was shot before Woolen drove away.

A witness told investigators that Pastor McWilliams opened a bathroom door and raised his hands. The pastor then ordered Woolen, who was holding the church's money bag, to leave the church. The witness said the pastor continued to order Woolen to leave, drawing his gun as he did so.

The affidavit states that Woolen ran toward Pastor McWilliams and the two began to fight on the ground. Woolen took the pastor's gun and shot him several times in the chest, the affidavit states.

The document stated that Woolen began 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.

With the assistance of ONSTAR, officers determined the vehicle was traveling east on Interstate 20 toward Marshall. ONSTAR disabled the vehicle and during a traffic stop, Woolen was arrested. The church's purse was found in the vehicle.

Pastor McWilliams succumbed to his injuries, while Sellars suffered non-life-threatening injuries that required surgery. Rosemary was injured in a fall.

Woolen remains in the Smith County Jail with bail totaling $3.5 million.