Uber driver accused of pastor's murder violates bail but is released anyway; trial postponed until next year

HOUSTON – Two years and three months have passed since Deshawn Longmire shot and killed 58-year-old Reverend Dr. Ronald Mouton, according to police.

In June 2022, Longmire was driving on the Gulf Freeway Service Road near Gould Street with the Uber app activated when he fired from his vehicle into Mouton's, hitting him in the chest, according to an indictment in the case.

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Ronald served as pastor of East Bethel Missionary Baptist Church for 32 years.

The case was due to begin trial this week but was postponed at the last minute.

“We were really confident that the trial would begin on time,” said Pastor Roland Mouton, the victim’s identical twin brother.

Court records indicate the case was rescheduled due to a trial conflict involving defense counsel, indicating that another trial he is involved in conflicts with the trial scheduled in this case.

The filing states: “Appearance for the September 20, 2024 trial date before this Honorable Court is contrary to the pre-existing orders to be present at the trial in court. Counsel for the defendant respectfully requests that this Honorable Court grant this adjournment to allow Mr. Longmire to be properly represented.”

“It will take two months to three years before he finally goes to trial. Two months to three years,” Roland said.

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FOX 26 has reported on several murder trials that dragged on for years.

According to the latest data from the National Center for State Courts, it takes an average of 256 days, or almost eight and a half months, for a criminal case to be completed.

According to the Harris County District Court Criminal Court Dashboard, there were 29,136 criminal cases pending in the county as of August, showing that 6,518, or 22%, of those cases are 361 days or older.

The Longmire case was delayed for several reasons, including a change of defense attorney and several motions to reduce bail.

In March 2023, Longmire posted $500 bail and was released from jail.

“He killed my brother two years ago. He's enjoyed two birthdays, two Thanksgivings and two Christmases. Now he's having a third birthday, a third Thanksgiving and a third Christmas with his family, while we still… I can't even celebrate a birthday,” Roland said.

Records show Longmire violated his bail by missing curfew in April 2024. Records say the court needed “more information” about the incident, and bail was never revoked.

“This man is free and basically enjoying life with his family while we are still grieving in pain. All we want is justice,” Roland said.

According to the documents, the new trial date is set for April 25, 2025.