Arrr! A swashbucklin' ex-judge from Texas, who sent three souls to Davy Jones' locker, be seekin' a new trial, matey!
2024-01-07
Avast ye scallywags! A scurvy-ridden ex-Texas judge, who sent three souls to Davy Jones' locker in a wicked revenge scheme, was condemned to swing from the gallows in 2014. But now, this bilge rat be beggin' for a second shot at a fair trial. Arrr, what a tale!
A former justice of the peace from North Texas, who was sentenced to death in 2014 for killing a district attorney's wife in a revenge plot that left three people dead, is seeking a new death penalty trial. Eric Williams, through his attorneys, claims that they did not have sufficient time to review the evidence and prepare for trial, which they say led to his conviction. He also argues that he was tried before a biased judge, although he believes that holding the trial in Rockwall County did not affect his chances of receiving a fair trial. Williams was convicted of capital murder for the deaths of Cynthia McLelland and her husband, Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, as well as prosecutor Mark Hasse.Williams lost his job and law license after being prosecuted by McLelland and Hasse for theft and burglary. Authorities believe that the conviction pushed him over the edge, leading him to commit the murders. During his trial, evidence was presented that he paid a friend to rent a storage unit where he stored over 30 guns, police tactical gear, and a getaway car. Williams wore a mask and tactical gear when he gunned down Hasse outside a courthouse building in broad daylight. Two months later, he stormed into the McLellands' home and shot them both over a dozen times.
Williams' wife, Kim, pleaded guilty to helping him carry out the killings and testified against him during his trial. She drove the getaway car in Hasse's death and assisted in disposing of the weapons used in the murders of the McLellands. Kim also revealed that Williams had a hit list that included other names such as District Judge Glen Ashworth and Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh Norville Wiley. She was sentenced to 40 years for her role.
Williams has made multiple appeals to overturn his death sentence, including one where he claimed his brain was broken. In another appeal, he expressed a desire for revenge against politicians he believed had ruined his life. A federal judge in North Texas will hold a hearing to consider Williams' latest request for a new trial.