Neighbors heard the argument for nearly an hour before the gunshots. What followed was an attempt to hide what had happened that unraveled within days.
The Shooting
On March 13, 2020, Frankie Williams, then 29, shot and killed James Earl Harp, 34, a father of six and friend since high school, at her Houston home following an argument over a gun that had gone missing from the house. Williams' brother, Shannon Williams, and another friend, Desman Tolliver, were also present. According to prosecutors, "they got into a fight over nothing that resulted in a death that didn't have to happen."
What Happened After
Court documents indicate Harp was still alive after being shot. Williams instructed her brother and Tolliver to load him into the back of a pickup truck. Shannon Williams later told police they initially began driving toward a hospital before his sister redirected them to an unfamiliar, rural location, where Harp's body was left in a ditch.
Witness Accounts
Neighbors reported hearing an argument that escalated over roughly an hour before multiple gunshots. Witnesses described seeing men standing near a motionless figure before a white pickup truck arrived and the body was loaded into its bed.
Convictions
Frankie Williams pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison; under the terms of her plea, she cannot appeal her conviction or sentence and must serve at least half her term before becoming eligible for parole. Shannon Williams and Desman Tolliver each pleaded guilty in 2021 and were sentenced to 12 years in prison.
FAQ
What sentence did Frankie Williams receive?
35 years in prison, after pleading guilty to murder.
What happened to the other two men involved?
Shannon Williams and Desman Tolliver each received 12-year sentences after pleading guilty to their roles in disposing of Harp's body.
What sparked the shooting?
An argument between Williams and Harp over a gun that had gone missing from her home.