On June 27, 2013, Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh Norville Wiley announced that a Kaufman County Grand Jury indicted former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams and his wife Kim Williams on three counts each of the capital murders of Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse, KC District Attorney Michael McLelland, and his wife Cynthia McLelland.
On June 27, 2013, Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh Norville Wiley announced that a Kaufman County Grand Jury indicted former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams and his wife Kim Williams on three counts each of the capital murders of Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse, KC District Attorney Michael McLelland, and his wife Cynthia McLelland.
Wylie also announced the recusal of herself, the Kaufman County District Attorney’s office, and 422nd District Court Judge Michael Chitty in the cases. The cases will now be referred to the Administrative Regional Judge for the 1st Judicial Region of Texas for assignment of a visiting judge.
“My office is unable to take an active role in the prosecution of this case due to the previous recusals as well as my previous work as the judge of the Kaufman County Court at Law. During my service as the County Court at Law Judge, officers notified me of Michael and Cynthia's murders, and a search warrant affidavit was presented to me for review on the very night of the discovery of their bodies. I issued a search warrant on that night. To avoid any questions or issues that might unexpectedly or unnecessarily delay or detract from the case, neither my assistant district attorneys nor I will take an active role in the case,” said Wiley at a press conference earlier today.
Special Prosecutors Toby Shook and Bill Wirskye will be prosecuting the Williamses on the indictments. A statement released at the press conference states the defendants may receive the death penalty for the alleged capital offenses.
“We have full confidence that the families of the victims and the citizens of the County will be well served by their work. We wish to extend our thanks to all of the law enforcement agencies who have assisted in this investigation. We join with the families, the County, and all of those affected by these deaths in the prayer that justice will be done,” concluded Wiley.
