State rests on third day of trial of man accused of murdering Starrville pastor

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – The state concluded its prosecution Wednesday on the third day of the trial of an Arlington man accused of killing a Smith County pastor.

Mytrez Deunte Woolen, 25, of Arlington, is charged with capital crimes in connection with the shooting death of Starrville Methodist Church pastor Mark McWilliams in January 2021. The first two days of the trial featured testimony from police officers and emergency responders at the scene.

Wednesday began with testimony from a DPS DNA scientist who conducted an analysis of suspected blood samples found at the crime scene.

The scientist testified that Woolen's blood could not be excluded as part of a sample from McWilliams found at the crime scene. Woolen's DNA was also found on a paper towel in the truck he allegedly used to flee the crime scene.

The state then called a detective from the Smith County Sheriff's Office. The man is an expert in bloodstain analysis and shooting reconstruction and was on the scene. The detective testified that Woolen's fingerprints were found on the broken window of the church.

The jury was again shown a picture of McWilliams' body, with a bullet hole in his forehead. Large amounts of gunshot residue can be seen around the wound.

The detective said that in this case, the “muzzle must be close to the person.”

The state rested after 11 a.m., and the defense was scheduled to begin its case after lunch.

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