The Latest Legal Battle: 5 Shocking Facts About Eric Williams, The Kaufman County Killer Seeking A New Trial

The chilling case of Eric Lyle Williams, the former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace convicted of the 2013 revenge murders of three prominent legal figures, has resurfaced in the news. As of late 2024 and early 2025, Williams, who currently resides on death row, is actively pursuing a new trial, bringing the horrific details of the triple homicide back into the public spotlight. This deep dive explores the man, the motive, the murders, and the current legal maneuvers that could potentially alter the course of one of Texas’s most infamous capital murder convictions. This article provides the most current update on Eric Williams' legal status and examines the chain of events that transformed a respected local official into a convicted killer. The story is a grim testament to the devastating consequences of personal and professional humiliation, culminating in a calculated act of vengeance against the very justice system he once served.

Eric Lyle Williams: Biography and Profile

Eric Lyle Williams’s life before the murders painted a picture of a man entrenched in the Texas legal system. His path from attorney to convicted killer is a central, tragic element of the Kaufman County saga.

• Full Name: Eric Lyle Williams
• Date of Birth: April 7, 1967
• Place of Birth: Tarrant County, Texas
• Prior Profession: Attorney, licensed in Texas.
• Public Office: Former Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2 in Kaufman County, Texas.
• Spouse: Kim Williams (Co-defendant, though her charges were dropped after she testified against him).
• Initial Legal Trouble: Indicted in 2012 for theft of county-owned computer monitors, which led to his removal from office and the suspension of his law license. This case was prosecuted by two of his future victims.
• Current Status: Convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. Currently on Death Row (TDCJ Number 999598).

The Path to Revenge: From Theft to Triple Homicide

The roots of the 2013 Kaufman County murders lie in a prior criminal case against Eric Williams himself. His conviction for the theft of county property, specifically computer monitors, was the catastrophic event that set him on a course for revenge.

The Theft Case and Humiliation

In 2012, Williams, then an elected Justice of the Peace, was accused of stealing county property. The investigation and subsequent prosecution were spearheaded by Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse and District Attorney Mike McLelland. The case resulted in his conviction, removal from his judicial office, and the suspension of his law license. This public fall from grace, according to prosecutors, was the driving, overwhelming motive for the calculated killings. The humiliation was a professional death sentence, which Williams sought to repay with actual death.

The Calculated Murders of 2013

The revenge plot unfolded over two separate attacks, targeting the highest-ranking legal officials in Kaufman County. The precision and timing indicated a high degree of planning by the former attorney. * Mark Hasse (January 31, 2013): Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse was the first victim. He was ambushed and fatally shot outside the Kaufman County Courthouse. The brazen attack in broad daylight sent shockwaves through the entire Texas legal community, immediately raising fears that the killings were connected to a criminal organization or a drug cartel. * Mike and Cynthia McLelland (March 30, 2013): Two months later, the fear intensified when District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia McLelland, were found murdered in their Forney home. They had been shot multiple times. The brutal, close-range execution of the county’s top prosecutor and his spouse pointed toward a personal, deeply-rooted vendetta. Law enforcement initially explored numerous avenues, including organized crime links. However, the common thread linking all three victims—their involvement in prosecuting Eric Williams's theft case—eventually led investigators to focus on the former Justice of the Peace as the prime suspect.

The Trial and Conviction: A Community’s Search for Justice

The capital murder trial of Eric Williams was a high-stakes event that drew national media attention. Due to the intense local interest and the victims' prominence in the Kaufman County legal system, the trial was moved to Rockwall County, Texas, to ensure a fair jury selection process.

Key Evidence and Testimony

The prosecution built a compelling case that relied heavily on circumstantial evidence and, most critically, the testimony of Williams's wife, Kim Williams. * Kim Williams's Testimony: Kim Williams was initially charged as a co-defendant but had her charges dropped in exchange for her testimony. She provided devastating details, testifying that her husband had planned the murders and had stockpiled weapons and ammunition. She described his vengeful state of mind and his actions following the killings. * Physical Evidence: Investigators recovered weapons, including an assault rifle, and a large quantity of ammunition from a storage unit associated with Williams. The ballistic evidence linked Williams’s weapons to the fatal shootings of the McLellands. * The Car and Disguise: Evidence also showed Williams had acquired a Crown Victoria, a car often used by law enforcement, and used it as a getaway vehicle. He reportedly wore a disguise during the Hasse murder. In December 2014, a jury convicted Eric Williams of capital murder for the deaths of Mike and Cynthia McLelland. The prosecution sought the death penalty, arguing that Williams posed a continuing threat to society and that the murders were a calculated act of retribution against the justice system itself. The jury agreed, sentencing him to death.

The Current Legal Battle: Williams Seeks a New Trial

Despite the conviction and the affirmation of his death sentence by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in November 2017, Eric Williams's legal fight is far from over. This is the freshest and most critical development in the case.

Grounds for the Appeal

In a recent and significant legal filing, Williams's defense team has petitioned a federal judge, requesting a new trial. The basis for this ongoing habeas corpus appeal often centers on claims of ineffective assistance of counsel during the original trial. Such appeals frequently argue that Williams’s constitutional rights were violated or that his original defense attorneys failed to adequately present mitigating evidence or challenge key aspects of the prosecution's case. The defense is systematically challenging the legal process, aiming to find any procedural or constitutional flaw that would warrant overturning the capital murder conviction. This federal appeal is one of the final avenues for a death row inmate to challenge their sentence, and its outcome is being closely watched by the legal community in Texas.

The Role of Kim Williams's Testimony

A significant part of any future appeal or new trial request will inevitably scrutinize the testimony of Kim Williams. Her deal with the prosecution—dropping her charges in exchange for her testimony—is a common point of contention in post-conviction appeals, with defense teams often arguing that such testimony is inherently coerced or unreliable. The legal proceedings are currently focused on the federal level, where a judge will review the entire history of the case, including the trial transcript and all previous state appeals. This process is meticulous and lengthy, ensuring that every claim of error is thoroughly addressed.

The Legacy of the Kaufman County Murders

The Eric Williams case left an indelible mark on Kaufman County and the state of Texas. The murders of Mark Hasse, Mike McLelland, and Cynthia McLelland were a direct assault on the rule of law and prompted widespread changes in security for prosecutors and judges across the state. The tragedy served as a stark reminder of the personal risks taken by those who dedicate their lives to the justice system. The victims—McLelland, known for his folksy charm and dedication, and Hasse, a veteran prosecutor—are remembered as dedicated public servants whose lives were tragically cut short by an act of personal, professional revenge. The ultimate fate of Eric Williams now rests in the hands of the federal courts, as his latest legal maneuver attempts to rewrite the final chapter of this dark Texas crime story.