Eric Williams: Texas judge who killed DA, his wife, and prosecutor seeks new death penalty trial

KAUFMAN COUNTY, TEXAS: Eric Lyle Williams, a former Texas judge convicted of the decade-old brutal murders of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife Cynthia McLelland, and Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse, is now seeking a new trial.

Williams, who was sentenced to death in 2014 for the heinous crimes, claims he did not receive a fair trial and cites various factors, including biased judgment, inadequate case preparation, and unfavorable media coverage.

Timeline of Eric Williams' vengeful murders

The grisly events unfolded in early 2013 when Williams, fueled by vengeful rage over his prosecution and conviction for the theft of Kaufman County computer equipment, meticulously planned the murders of the district attorney and Hasse.

Out on bail for theft, Williams ambushed Hasse outside the Kaufman County courthouse, wearing a Halloween mask and a bulletproof vest, shooting him down in broad daylight before witnesses. A manhunt ensued, but Williams eluded capture for nearly three months.

Inside the ruthless McLelland home invasion

In late March 2013, accompanied by his wife Kim Williams, Eric knocked on the McLellands' home door, impersonating a police officer. Once inside, Williams callously unloaded a barrage of bullets, taking the lives of the district attorney and his wife. Kim, acting as a getaway driver, later testified that Williams considered Cynthia "collateral damage" and coldly recounted his deeds, WFAA reports.

She pleaded guilty and received a 40-year prison sentence for her involvement in the murders. However, Williams, undeterred, now argues that he was denied a fair trial during the initial proceedings. He contends that he was unable to adequately prepare for his case, faced bias from the presiding judge, and dealt with a hostile media atmosphere.

The former judge's case venue had been moved from Kaufman County to Rockwall County due to intense media scrutiny, but Williams argues that this change was insufficient. Public records indicate that this is not the first attempt by Williams to secure a retrial.

Eric Williams' horrifying parallels to infamous killers

In 2018, an appeal to the US Supreme Court was met with strong opposition from prosecutors who emphasized Williams “waged war" on the entire criminal justice system. During the sentencing for the McLelland murders, Judge Mike Snipes likened his ruthlessness to notorious serial killers, expressing concerns that Williams, given the opportunity, would kill again.

“That puts you right there with Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer and Richard Speck,” Snipes said, as per KERA. Nevertheless, the evidence presented during the trial revealed Williams' extensive collection of at least 30 guns, his desire to harm other justice officials, and threats toward his wife and an ex-girlfriend.