HOUSTON — The long wait for justice continues for the family of a Houston pastor who was shot and killed in June of 2022.
Deshawn Longmire is charged with murder in the death of Rev. Ronald Mouton Sr., who was a pastor at East Bethel Missionary Baptist Church for more than 30 years.
Editor's note: The above video originally aired in 2022.
Police said Longmire, an Uber driver, killed Mouton in an apparent road rage incident on the Gulf Freeway between Wayside Drive and Griggs Road.
Longmire's trial was supposed to start in September but it was delayed because his defense attorney was busy with another case. The victim's family was frustrated to learn the trial has now been pushed back until April 2025.
“It will be almost three years by the time we go to trial since he killed my brother,” Rev. Roland Mouton said on Sunday. “And I’m concerned about that, especially with the fact that he has violated his bond four times and he’s still walking around with his ankle bracelet on.”
Mouton, who's a pastor in Louisiana, was in Houston Sunday to speak at his late twin brother's church.
“I just want to keep pressure on this case so my family can get some closure and see some justice to the end of this case, that’s what I’m looking for,” Mouton said. “I want to keep some public pressure on this case so they don’t get lax and think that it’s not important to this family to see that the one that took our loved one pays for it.”
Mouton said losing his twin has been extremely difficult and he misses him every day.
“The twin bond is a different bond. He and I were very close, shared everything from the womb to a room as children to a college dormitory room, both in the ministry,” Mouton said. “I have to be honest, it’s been very devastating for me.”
He said his faith has helped him cope with the loss as he continues to fight for justice.
“I think every state should look at doing away with murderers being able to bond free till trial," Mouton said.
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'He fed the hungry, he clothed the naked'
After the shooting, the victim's longtime friend, Bishop James Dixon said Mouton was a blessing to his community.
“He fed the hungry, he clothed the naked, he helped to shelter the homeless," Dixon told us in 2022. “This can happen to anyone ... it doesn’t matter what your status or standing is in the community.”
Dixon said he grew up with Mouton and knew him all his life.
The pastor was a husband and father of four. His 10 beloved grandkids knew him as "Papa."
"Amazing family man a man of faith and a man of friendship and loyalty," Dixon said.
He said the family's heartache didn't stop them from praying for Mouton's accused killer.
"I was talking with his wife this morning and said, 'We have to pray for the person who killed my husband,' that is the kind of heart this family has," said Dixon.