No Delay For Accused Kaufman County Killer's Trial
KAUFMAN COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) – There will be no delay in the trial for a man accused of murdering three people, including two Kaufman County prosecutors.
Eric Williams is charged with the murder of Kaufman County District Attorney, Mike McLelland, his wife, Cynthia and Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse.
On Thursday, the FBI returned to Williams house to search for the AR 15 rifle used to kill McLelland and his wife, according to a source close to the investigation. However, investigators did not find the weapon.
Williams appeared in a Kaufman courtroom on Friday for a hearing in preparation for the trial, which is scheduled to begin on December 1. Jury selection begins September 22.
Prosecutors will first try Williams for the murder of Cynthia McLelland. Following the first trial, Williams will be tried for the murders of Hasse and Mike McLelland. Williams is accused of carrying out the killings after Hasse and McLelland successfully prosecuted him for theft of county computers. As a result of the conviction, Williams lost his job as Justice of the Peace.
Williams' attorneys hoped Judge Michael Snipes would limit the evidence introduced at the trial for the murder of Mrs. McLelland. The defense argued against including evidence from Hasse's murder, but the judge disagreed.
"I agree that the allegations do at least show an overarching plan of the defendant to seek revenge," said Snipes in court.
Defense attorneys also questioned whether prosecutors have offered a plea bargain to Williams' co-defendant, his ex-wife Kim.
"There has been absolutely zero action from the prosecution or the defense in that case. It seems disingenuous to me that some type of agreement has not been reached with Ms. Williams for her substantial participation in this case," said Williams' attorney, Matthew Seymour.
Prosecutors deny having struck a deal with Kim Williams, who is also charged with capital murder. Her trial will be held after her husband's has ended. Kim filed for divorce after the couple was arrested.
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