Closing arguments come Thursday morning followed by jury deliberation in the guilt or innocence phase of the Eric Williams capital murder trial.
The state and defense both rested Wednesday after three days of strong state evidence against Williams.
The defense cross examined some state witnesses but called no defense witnesses. Williams declined the right to speak in his own defense.
Williams is accused of the 2013 shootings of Kaufman District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife Cynthia and top assistant Mark Hasse but this trial is only for the murder of Cynthia McLelland.
[[284534131,C]]
The alleged motive for the crimes is retribution for the 2012 burglary and theft conviction the prosecutors won against Williams, which ended his career as a lawyer and Justice of the Peace.
The jury earlier Wednesday heard testimony that Williams sent anonymous emails to law enforcement claiming credit for the 2013 killings of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife.
Prosecutors say Williams used cloaking software to mask the origins of the emails to a Crime Stoppers tip line.
[[284332271,C]]
The final state evidence against Williams offered to the jury Wednesday was video of a Williams interview with NBC5’s Scott Gordon on April 2, 2013, two days after the McLelland murders.
In the interview, Williams denied involvement.
“I’ve cooperated with law enforcement. I certainly wish them the best in bringing justice for this incredibly egregious act,” Williams said.
Williams' estranged wife, Kim Williams, is also charged in the case but she is to be tried separately. She was listed as a state witness but did not testify in the guilt or innocence phase of the trial.
If Eric Williams is convicted, the punishment phase could come next week.
NBC 5 reporter Ken Kalthoff is tweeting during the trial. Keep up with the latest updates below.
