ROCKWALL, Texas — The defense team representing former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams in the capital murder of Cynthia McLelland rested their case in the punishment phase at approximately 5:10 p.m. Monday, December 15, 2014.
ROCKWALL, Texas — The defense team representing former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams in the capital murder of Cynthia McLelland rested their case in the punishment phase at approximately 5:10 p.m. Monday, December 15, 2014.
The trial is expected to resume tomorrow morning with any possible rebuttals by the state, closing arguments, and jury deliberations.
On December 4, 2014, after only an hour-and-a-half of deliberations, the 12-member Rockwall County jury found Williams guilty in the capital murder of McLelland in her home over Easter weekend 2013. Her husband, former Kaufman County District Attorney (DA) Mike McLelland, was also killed.
Eric is also indicted for the capital murder of Mark Hasse who was Mike McLelland’s top prosecutor in the DA’s office. Hasse was gunned down months before as he walked to the county courthouse in Kaufman, Texas.
The prosecution has alleged Williams killed the three in a revenge plot after McLelland and Hasse prosecuted Williams for theft for which Williams was found guilty resulting in the loss of his law license and removal from his JP seat.
Of the dozens of witnesses called by the defense, several spoke of the political climate in Kaufman County. The defense argues Williams was prosecuted for theft for political reasons.
Today, while Kaufman area lawyer Mark Calabria took the witness stand for the defense, it was mentioned Hasse offered a lesser charge to Williams who declined and insisted on taking the theft case to trial.
Calabria spoke well of Williams’ work habits and his desire to bring the JP’s office into the modern age of technology. However, on cross examination, the jury heard testimony Williams was fired by Calabria’s wife while working at their firm for misappropriating funds from court appointments.
Former District Attorney Rick Harrison, who was arrested for DWI in 2009 in Seagoville and subsequently lost his upcoming bid for DA to McLelland, said Williams supported him in his campaign for DA. When asked by the defense if he believes McLelland harbored a grudge against Williams for the support in the campaign, the state objected and Harrison was unable to answer.
Visiting Dallas County District Court Judge Mike Snipes told the jury, “The jury will disregard this line of questioning.”
The defense called several witness to diminish Kim Williams’ character — Eric Williams’ estranged wife. Kim has also been indicted for the three capital murders and has been suspected to appear as a witness for the state which has an opportunity tomorrow during rebuttal.
Cathy Adams, a close friend of Williams, testified Williams was a good husband to Kim. On cross examination, special prosecutor Bill Wirskye alleged Williams had an extramarital affair with another woman attorney. The defense objected but Wirksye insisted Adams “opened the door.”
Williams’ mother, Jessie, became tearful during an hour-and-a-half video deposition while viewing pictures of Williams as a child. She also testified Kim and Eric didn’t appear to be matches and described Kim as a “bimbo.” Williams’ mother was not invited to their Las Vegas wedding.
The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning at 8:45 a.m.
