Tillman Sentenced to Life in Prison for Killing Harrison

A Fayette County Jury sentenced Charles Lee Tillman Jr. to life in prison for the 2021 murder of David Harrison Jr. in La Grange.

Tillman’s defense attorney, Arthur Washington, did not call any witnesses during the guilt and innocence portion of the trial last week. During sentencing, he called only one witness, Tillman’s mother.

Attorneys Britni Cooper and Joshua Somers from the Texas Office of the Attorney General prosecuted the case.

The murder stemmed from an argument between Harrison and Tillman’s daughter. Harrison, who was 40 at the time, was dating the girl’s mother, Tillman’s ex. Prosecutors argued that Tillman confronted Harrison at the doorway of Harrison’s home in the River Valley Apartments, and shot him through the screen door.

Evidence presented at the trial last week included video from the apartments showing a subject fitting Tilman’s description at the time of the murder. In one scene from the video, the subject was shirtless and several identifying tattoos could be seen.

Surveillance video also showed the car Tillman was driving, which belonged to his girlfriend and had a personalized license plate. Investigators were also able to track Tillman’s cell phone to the crime scene when the shooting occurred.

The murder weapon was never recovered. Prosecutors also presented evidence concerning the motive – the dispute between Tillman’s daughter and Harrison. In addition, the jury learned that Tillman absconded from law enforcement for five months after police obtained a warrant for his arrest.

The jury, made up of eight women and four men, deliberated for more than three hours last Friday before returning the guilty verdict.

During sentencing, the jury learned about Tillman’s extensive criminal history. He had been sentenced to 14 years for assaulting a family member and was on parole when the murder took place. The jury also learned about his affiliation with the Crips, a violent gang.

The jury deliberated for about an hour and a half on Monday before delivering the life sentence. Tillman, 37, will be eligible for parole in 30 years.