Kaufman County

Eric Williams Defense Gets One More Day for Witnesses

The judge in the trial of Kaufman County capital murder convict Eric Williams on Friday gave defense lawyers one more day for witnesses in the punishment phase.

State District Judge Mike Snipes said prosecutors will get time Tuesday for any rebuttals they wish to present and then sentencing arguments will happen sometime Tuesday.

The life-or-death decision could go to the jury late Tuesday or sometime Wednesday.

The parade of defense witnesses in the punishment phase continued Friday as Williams' lawyers called friends from his childhood and acquaintances from his days as a lawyer.

The defense needs to persuade just one juror to resist a death sentence in order for Williams to receive a life prison sentence instead.

Prosecutors insist on capital punishment for the 2013 murders of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife Cynthia McLelland and Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse.

Two possible witnesses with knowledge of the case have yet to appear. They are Williams himself and his wife Kim Williams, an indicted accomplice who was listed as a prosecution witness.

Testimony resumes Monday at 8:45 a.m.

Contact Us