HOUSTON – A jury has found a man guilty of killing a well-known pastor in southeast Houston during an apparent road rage incident.
Nearly three years have passed since the tragic shooting of Rev. Dr. Ronald Mouton Sr. and now the case is nearing its end. After hearing emotional testimony from family and friends, the court has moved into sentencing for Deshawn Longmire, the man accused in the pastor’s killing.
KPRC 2’s Re’Chelle Turner is live in the courtroom, bringing updates as the trial continues.
Emotional testimony came from Pastor Mouton’s loved ones. His son, Ronald Mouton Jr., broke down as he spoke about the sacrifices his father made and the difficulty of stepping into East Bethel Missionary Baptist Church since his passing. He shared that his youngest son will never get the chance to meet his grandfather and reflected on the painful wait for justice. Roland Mouton, Pastor Mouton’s twin brother, recalled their close bond, annual birthday celebrations, and the heartbreaking moment he learned of his brother’s death while heading to a funeral.
The pastor’s youngest son, Ryan Mouton — a former NFL player — also took the stand, recalling how his father supported him through career injuries and personal struggles. Overwhelmed with emotion, he said his father had officiated the weddings of his siblings but never had the chance to do his. Family friend Erica Bryant described Pastor Mouton as a leader for everyone, sharing how he personally stepped in to help save her marriage.
Investigators say Longmire shot and killed Mouton back in June 2022 on a feeder road off Gulf Freeway in southeast Houston; signs indicated that it was a case of road rage. Court documents also revealed Longmire, an Uber driver, was out on bond and had previously violated it by not obeying his curfew restrictions.
Closing arguments were heard Thursday, with prosecutors at one point saying Longmire’s claim as an Uber driver was a “lie” and an attempt to create an alibi. Meanwhile, Longmire’s defense attorney argued a jury should determine whether the case has “reasonable doubt.”
Mouton served as pastor at East Bethel Baptist Church for more than 30 years until his sudden death. For that reason, loved ones, including his twin brother, Roland, haven’t stopped calling for justice.
“The twin bond is a different bond, and he and I were very close,” Roland explained to KPRC 2’s Corley Peel. “We’ve shared everything from the womb to children, to college dormitory room, both in a ministry of travel and on trips together as preachers. Not having him, it’s been very devastating for my life.”
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Longmire’s trial was originally slated for September 2024, but was since pushed back to April 2025.
Before the trial began, KPRC 2’s Jaewon Jung caught up with Roland, who noted the trial’s significance starting on Easter weekend.
“It’s very symbolic to start a trial coming out of what we label as Holy Week and the resurrection of Jesus,” he said. “It allows us to at least pray for justice.”
When asked if he believed his late brother would have forgiven his killer, Roland replied, “I think he would. I’ll say it like this: you can’t preach a message that you can’t practice. I think that’s what we carry about what we do.”
Longmire faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
