TERRELL, Texas – A former justice of the peace in North Texas is seeking a new trial after being sentenced to death nearly 10 years ago for the deaths of three people. Eric Williams, who was convicted of killing a district attorney’s wife in a revenge plot, is asking for a new death penalty trial on the grounds of inadequate time to review evidence and biased judgment.
Williams was convicted of the capital murder of Cynthia McLelland and her husband, Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, as well as prosecutor Mark Hasse. This came after Williams lost his job and law license when the prosecutor’s office pursued charges against him for theft and burglary.
According to reports, Williams’ attorneys claim that they did not have enough time to review the evidence and prepare for trial, leading to his conviction. They also argue that the trial was held before a biased judge and that the location of the trial in Rockwall County did not allow for a fair trial.
In January 2013, Williams, wearing a mask and tactical gear, gunned down prosecutor Mark Hasse outside a courthouse building. Just two months later, he stormed into the rural home of the McLellands and shot them both over a dozen times. Williams’ wife, Kim, was accused of and pleaded guilty to helping him carry out the killings. She was later sentenced to 40 years for her role.
Williams has made several appeals to overturn the death sentence, claiming at one point that his brain was broken and that he wanted revenge against “a few politicians who ruined his life.” A North District of Texas federal judge will hold a hearing on the latest request from Williams, as reported by The Dallas Morning News.
In summary, Eric Williams, a former justice of the peace in North Texas, is seeking a new death penalty trial nearly 10 years after being sentenced to death for the revenge plot killings of three people. His attorneys claim inadequate time to review evidence and prepare for trial, as well as bias from the judge. This request will be evaluated by a federal judge in North Texas.