Eric Williams (Texas justice of the peace)
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Eric Williams was a justice of the peace for Precinct 1 in Kaufman County, Texas. He was elected on November 2, 2010, and took office early the following year. However, he lost his job in 2012 after he was convicted of stealing computer monitors. In April 2013, Williams was charged with capital murder in the shooting death of the North Texas district attorney who had prosecuted him for theft. Williams is also charged with the murders of the district attorney's wife and assistant[1][2]
Murder investigation
Williams was imprisoned on April 13, 2013, for making a terroristic threat. Law enforcement listed him as a prime suspect in the murders of two Kaufman County prosecutors. One of the victims, assistant district attorney Mark Hasse, was the prosecutor in Williams' theft case.
Hasse was shot in the Kaufman town square on January 31, 2013. Mike McLelland, the county district attorney, as well as his wife, were shot and killed in their home three months later.
Williams stated, "I’ve cooperated with law enforcement...I certainly wish them the best in bringing justice to this incredibly egregious act.”[1]
On April 17, 2013, Williams' wife, Kim Lene Williams, was arrested on murder charges in the slayings of Mark Hasse and Mike and Cynthia McLelland. She is accused of "intentionally and knowingly" causing the deaths and accusing her husband of being the trigger man. The arrest warrant said she confessed in detail to her involvement and Eric Williams' role in the scheme.[3]
On April 18, Eric Williams was charged with capital murder. He is being held on $23 million bond.[4]
2010 election
Williams defeated long time Democrat Johnny Perry in the 2010 general election, by a 60/40 margin. He was the only Republican candidate in Kaufman County to increase his percentage lead on election day, overcoming the usual election day reduction by Republicans.[5]
See also
External links
- CBS News, "Mike McLelland Murder Update: Eric Williams, former justice of peace prosecuted by slain DA, jailed as investigation continues," April 15, 2013
- Examiner, "Elected official arrested: Justice of the Peace Eric Williams in custody," May 24, 2011
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 NBC News, "Family member: Former Texas official is 'prime suspect' in prosecutors' slayings," April 15, 2013
- ↑ NBC News, "Former county judge questioned in Texas DA's slaying," April 3, 2013
- ↑ CNN, "Wife of former official charged with murder in Texas DA killing," April 17, 2013
- ↑ CBS News, "Ex-Justice of the Peace Eric Williams charged with capital murder in Texas DA slayings," April 18, 2013
- ↑ Kaufman County, Results for the November 2, 2010 General Election
Federal courts:
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas
State courts:
Texas Supreme Court • Texas Court of Appeals • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals • Texas District Courts • Texas County Courts • Texas County Courts at Law • Texas Statutory Probate Courts • Texas Justice of the Peace Courts
State resources:
Courts in Texas • Texas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Texas
