Kaufman Cty DA Mike McLelland & Wife Found Slain in Home(SOLVED)

[MuffyBee]

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2013/04/kaufman-county-sheriffs-office-says-honor-network-ceo-is-not-an-authorized-spokesman-for-mclelland-family.html/
Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office says Honor Network CEO is not an authorized spokesman for McLelland family
April 8, 2013

On Saturday a man who claimed to represent some relatives of slain Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and wife Cynthia said the family is “furious” over the way the investigation into their deaths has been handled. Today, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office offered a rebuttal by insisting that Chris Heisler, founder of the Honor Network, does not speak for the McLelland family.

“The members of Mike and Cynthia McLelland’s family that the victims’ services branches of the investigation have been in contact with since Mr. Heisler’s comments were made have almost wholly responded that his self-description as family spokesperson and his statement of the family’s feelings are both inaccurate and unauthorized,” says the release, which follows in full.

The sheriff’s department also says that while his intentions are good, anything Heisler says is “purely speculative in nature.”
 ::snipping2::
McLelland’s son, J.R. McLelland, praised Heisler’s work on the honor flag detail, security and the memorial. “He did a great job on all that,” said McLelland. “And now it’s over.”

J.R. McLelland said Heisler no longer speaks for the family. He said the family is not furious about the way the investigation is being handled, “because it’s only been a week.”

He said the weekend’s events are not a major distraction, and investigators including the Texas Rangers continue to work hard on the case.

“Just because Margaret Thatcher died and it’s going to be the lead story doesn’t mean the Rangers stop working,” he said.

This isn’t the first time Heisler’s become part of a local news story: In February he held several press conferences following the escape and recapture of a prisoner who stabbed a Miami police officer during a stop in Grapevine. During one he asked area district attorneys to increase the reward being offered for Alberto Morales. On Saturday he said the $200,000 being offered in the McLelland case wasn’t enough.

[MuffyBee]

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2013/04/search-for-replacement-for-slain-kaufman-county-da-mike-mclelland-expanding-beyond-interim-appointment.html/
Search for replacement for slain Kaufman County DA Mike McLelland expanding beyond interim appointment
April 8, 2013

The search for a replacement for Mike McLelland has expanded beyond interim District Attorney Brandi Fernandez.

McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, were found shot to death in their Forney home over Easter weekend. Authorities are searching for the killers and trying to determine if there is a link to the murder of McLelland prosecutor Mark Hasse, who was shot and killed Jan. 31 as he walked to the courthouse.

The county is interviewing possible candidates, said one attorney who was interviewed for the position.

Defense attorney Dennis Jones, who ran for Kaufman County district attorney a decade ago, said he was interviewed last week at the courthouse. But Jones said he is not interested.

Jones said the interview was conducted by Kaufman County’s elected judges.

“I’m sort of at the end of my law career,” said Jones, who said he plans to retire in six to nine months.

Jones said he didn’t know who else has been interviewed.
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[MuffyBee]

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Honor-Flag-Flies-Monday-for-McLelland-201878231.html
Honor Flag Flies for McLelland
April 8, 2013

The U.S. Honor Flag was raised for the second time this year in Kaufman County.

This time, the flag honored Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, who was shot to death on March 30 in his Forney home. McLelland's wife, Cynthia, was also killed.

"Today the U.S. honor flag is here to celebrate the life and service of a great individual," said Chris Heisler, founder of the Honor Network.

The service to fly the flag began at noon Monday, with the flag remaining at the top of the flagpole outside the Kaufman County Courthouse for 24 hours. Organizers told NBC 5 that the flag would fly at full height because they believe McLelland would not have wanted it at half-staff.

In February, the flag was raised for Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse, who was killed outside the Kaufman County courthouse in a shooting.
 ::snipping2::
The investigations into the murders of both top Kaufman County prosecutors continue with no arrests.

Sheriffs and other law enforcement in the area have said very little about either investigation. Authorities have set up a tip line at 877-847-7522 and a billboard campaign to get the public involved in sharing information.

There is a reward for information leading to an arrest in the McLelland case. The fund, which includes money from the governor's office, has reached $200,000.

[MuffyBee]

Interesting that the McClelland's were attacked on the one night weapons were put up.   

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Slain-Texas-DA-Put-Weapons-Away-Hours-Before-He-Was-Killed-Son-Says-202134761.html
Slain Texas DA Put Weapons Away Hours Before He Was Killed, Son Says
April 10, 2013

WORTHAM (April 9, 2013)—J.R. McLelland, the son of slain Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, says his father ordinarily kept a gun "in every room of his house," but couldn't reach one when his killer or killers slipped into his home because he had put the weapons away hours before.

J.R. McLelland told The Dallas Morning News the guns were stored for the protection of visitors who attended a party at his father’s home the night before.

McLelland says he believes that, had the weapons been in their normal spots, his father likely would have tried to reach one.
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Slain-DAs-family-dismisses-spokesperson-says--202238781.html
Slain DA's family dismisses spokesman
April 9, 2013

Video at Link

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Sources-name-new-Kaufman-County-DA--202398351.html
Perry names judge new Kaufman County DA
Published April 10, 2013, Updated April 11, 2013

KAUFMAN — Kaufman County's newest district attorney admitted she has some fears after the murder of two prosecutors there, but insists she is ready to get to work.
"Sure, I’m worried, but we have good people that are watching us," said Judge Erleigh Norville Wiley after Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced Wednesday he had chosen her to become Kaufman’s next DA.
"There are all these other elected officials that are in fear for their lives," she said. "It's not just me... we’re going to keep working."
Wiley, 49, will finish out the term of Mike McLelland, 63, who was killed along with his wife, Cynthia, in their Forney home on March 30.
Once the appointment is confirmed by the Texas Senate, Wiley will hold the position until the general election in 2014.
 ::snipping2::
The new position thrusts her into a very high profile position after the murder of two of Kaufman’s prosecutors this year. Two months before McLelland’s killing, his top deputy, Mark Hasse, was gunned down in the town square.
Deputies have made no arrests in either case.
County leaders considered dozens of applicants to replace McLelland, some of whom were hesitant to accept the job.
Brandi Fernandez, an assistant district attorney in Kaufman County, held the position on an interim basis after McLelland’s murder and was considered a candidate. But the governor did not indicate why he selected Wiley.
She arrives in the office with constant security surrounding her and her family. Armed officers now escort county workers into and out of the courthouse each day.
 ::snipping2::
Video at Link

[MuffyBee]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57579431/authorities-search-home-in-slain-texas-da-investigation/
Authorities search home in slain Texas DA investigation
April 12, 2013

A search warrant at the home of a former justice of the peace is being executed by the task force investigating the recent murders of a Texas district attorney and his wife, CBS News has confirmed.

Agents were seen entering the home of former Kaufman County justice of the peace Eric Williams, who was prosecuted last year for theft by the district attorney's office. Williams was convicted and lost his position.
Williams has denied any role in the deaths of District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, who were found dead in their home on March 30. Two months earlier, a prosecutor in McLelland's office, Mark Hasse, was fatally shot as he was leaving work in Kaufman, about 30 miles southeast of Dallas.

Williams — who hasn't been named a suspect in any of the deaths — told the Dallas Morning News that he voluntarily turned over his cellphones to authorities. He also has said he voluntarily submitted to a gunshot residue test to demonstrate his innocence and had no hard feelings toward McLelland or his office.

Spokesmen for the FBI and the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office confirmed they were executing a search warrant, but declined to provide details until the search was complete.

A listed phone number for Williams went unanswered Friday afternoon. But his attorney, David Sergi, released a statement Friday saying his client "has cooperated with law enforcement and vigorously denies any and all allegations."
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[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/search-home-former-kaufman-county-justice-peace-eric-williams-mike-mclelland-mark-hasse-202764651.html
Authorities searching home of former Kaufman County judge who had deep ties to slain prosecutors
April 12, 2013

Investigators are searching the home of former Kaufman County justice of the peace Eric Lyle Williams, who has previously been questioned in the murders of District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife Cynthia and prosecutor Mark Hasse.
Federal and local agencies, including the Kaufman County Sheriff's Department, the FBI and Texas Rangers, served the search warrant Friday at 3:30 p.m. The document is sealed. Investigators are also searching the home of a relative and the neighborhood is blocked off.
A source speaking on the condition of anonymity said authorities are searching for weapons, computer files and records.
Williams has not been charged in the murders of Hasse or McLelland.
In March 2012, Williams, 46, was convicted of theft by a public servant and burglary of a building. He was caught on courthouse surveillance coming and going from the county's IT department clutching computer monitors.
McLelland and Hasse aggressively prosecuted Williams. During the trial, Hasse hurled insults at him, calling Williams a "liar," "crooked official" and a "thief," the Forney Post reported.
Quoting from the paper, in closing arguments Hasse said: “The Defendant’s actions are incredible beyond belief and stupid. Do we really need to do an official County memo that says do not steal from the County. Do not circumvent the county’s security measures.”
During last year's corruption trial, the courthouse was on heightened alert considering Williams was in law enforcement and an elected judge. Williams is also a member of the Texas State Guard. When his vehicle was searched in the computer theft case, authorities testified they found several military-style weapons and a "considerable" amount of ammunition, the Post reported.
 ::snipping2::
In a dramatic development during Williams' corruption trial, Kaufman County Judge Bruce Wood testified that the former justice of the peace had asked him in a letter to use his influence to call off the criminal investigation against him. Wood declined.
The Post quoted Hasse as saying, "The Defendant did not ask Judge Wood to investigate to help clear this up because he is innocent. In the letter he accepts responsibility. He says I’ve done something wrong, and I’ve learned my lesson, hoping for some kind of back-door favor. He is an elected public servant and he is a thief and a liar. We ask you to find him guilty.”
During the sentencing phase of the trial, prosecutor Hasse revealed that Williams threatened to kill an ex-girlfriend in Huntsville "involving the display of a handgun," according to court records. He also threatened the life of a Kaufman attorney and his family in 2010, according to prosecutor's records.
Williams is appealing his convictions.
In Nov. 2011, Williams' attorney filed a motion to disqualify District Attorney McLelland from the case.
"The indictment of Mr. Williams was not the result of a crime having been committed as much as it was an attempt to settle a political grudge," wrote San Marcos-based Attorney David Sergi in the motion. "Mr. Williams and Mr. McLelland are political enemies, nothing more."
Last month, hours after McLelland and his wife were found murdered in their Forney home, Williams volunteered to give a swab of his hand to authorities so they could search for gun residue. He also voluntarily gave officials his cell phone.
 ::snipping2::

Video at Link

[MuffyBee]

http://www.kaufmanherald.com/news/article_4cc5f508-a3c7-11e2-ab3a-0019bb2963f4.html
Law enforcement activity in housing addition continues
April 12, 2013

A taskforce looking for the murderers of Mike and Cynthia McLelland and of Mark Hasse, continue to blockade a housing addition on FM 1388 (Houston Street) just a block or so south of U.S. Highway 175.
A former publisher of The Kaufman Herald, who lives in the Wellington Addition, said that he was allowed to go to his home, but it is located "around the corner" from the law enforcement activity.
"(Law enforcement) pretty much have it buttoned up," Micahael Gresham said of the police presence.
Lt. Justin Lewis said earlier today that the taskforce was "executing a search warrant at this time in the City of Kaufman, in relation to the joint investigation.
Lewis also said rumors of more shooting are untrue and that law enforcement is "just executing the warrant," refusing to say where in the Wellington Addition.
The collaborative law enforcement effort to solve the murders is headed up by the sheriff's office, Texas Rangers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Law enforcement has set up roadblocks near the Highway 175 service road adjacent to the Crossroads Liquor Store and at FM 1388's north side intersection with State Highway 34.
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[MuffyBee]

http://www.kvue.com/home/202843491.html
Former Kaufman County JP arrested
April 13, 2013

Kaufman County records show that former Justice of the Peace Eric Williams has been arrested.
He's the man whose house authorities were searching on Friday afternoon and into the night in connection with their investigation of the Kaufman County prosecutor murders.
Williams, 46, was booked into the Kaufman County Jail at 12:32 a.m. Saturday and charged with making a "terroristic threat." Bond was set at $1 million.
The district attorney's office prosecuted and convicted Williams last year for theft. He lost his justice of the peace position as a result.
Investigators spent hours in Williams' home and that of his in-laws on Friday. The two families live on the same street in Kaufman. They removed boxes, computers and guns.
It's now been two weeks since investigators found the bodies of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife in their home near Forney. Prosecutor Mark Hasse was shot and killed on his way to the courthouse on January 31.
Eric Williams has links to both McLelland and Hasse but has not been charged in connection with their deaths.
 ::snipping2::
Video at Link

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/FBI-searches-storage-facility-in-Seagoville-202873101.html
Feds search storage facility in Seagoville
April 13, 2013

SEAGOVILLE — Dozens of federal agents and Texas Rangers spent more than six hours executing a search warrant Saturday evening at a self-storage facility in Seagoville.
An FBI spokesperson would not confirm who owns the unit targeted at Gibson Self Storage, but said investigators were "following up on leads" releated to the Kaufman County murder investigation.
Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife were found dead at their home near Forney last month; and assistant DA Mark Hesse was gunned down as he walked to the county courthouse in January.
Officials would not say whether the search in Seagoville was linked to Friday's search at the home of former Kaufman Justice of the Peace Eric Williams. Williams was arrested late Friday and charged with making a "terroristic threat."
FBI and ATF agents and members of the Texas Rangers could be seen taking photos and walking in and out of the gated facility. They carried bags and boxes of evidence away from the scene.
A white sedan that was pushed out of one of the units appeared to be getting special attention from the investigative team.
 ::snipping2::

Video at Link

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Former-Kaufman-County-JP-arrested--202836071.html
Charges expected in Kaufman County murders
April 13, 2013

KAUFMAN — Sources tell News 8 there is strong evidence linking former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams to the murders of District Attorney Mike McClelland and his wife and to the murder of prosecutor Mark Hasse.
Charges are expected soon.
According to sources, weapons similar to those used in the murders were found during the search of Williams' Kaufman residence on Friday.
State and federal agents executed a search warrant at a storage facility in Seagoville on Saturday night, but they would not say whether that development was linked to Williams.
Williams was jailed after being arrested early Saturday morning.
Law enforcement sources confirmed to WFAA that Williams, 46, was picked up at his home and taken to the Kaufman County Jail. The jail website showed that he was booked at 12:32 a.m.
The arrest follows Friday's exhaustive search of his Kaufman home by federal agents.
Late Saturday, Kaufman County Sheriff's Department spokesman Lt. Justin Lewis told News 8 that Williams has not been charged with the McLelland or Hasse murders and is not a suspect or a prime suspect.
FBI spokeswoman Katherine Chaumont in Seagoville echoed Lt. Lewis' statement.
"Now knowing that they arrested him on a terroristic threat charge, it could just be one of those things that he made comments to somebody and they are having to run down those leads," said legal expert and attorney Pete Schulte.
Bond was set at $3 million total; $1 million for the threat charge and $1 million each on two charges of "insufficient bond."
"To raise it as high as $1 million, the judge is like, 'You know the best place for Mr. Williams at this point is in jail until we can figure out what's going on,'" Schulte said.
As of late Saturday night, Williams had not been charged with any murders. Our calls to Williams' attorney were not returned.
Williams was convicted last year of stealing from the county. He lost his position as justice of the peace because of it.
Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse and District Attorney Mike McClelland are the two who prosecuted him. McLelland was murdered last month; Hasse was slain in January.
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While Eric Williams has links to both McLelland and Hasse, he has not been charged in connection with their deaths. The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office said no additional information about Williams' arrest would be forthcoming on Saturday.
Williams' attorney, David Sergi, issued this statement on Friday, before the arrest:
"He has cooperated with law enforcement and vigorously denies any and all allegations. He wishes simply to get on with his life and hopes that the perpetrators are brought to justice."
Earlier this month, Williams said he voluntarily submitted to a gun residue test and turned over his cellphone after authorities contacted him while investigating the deaths of the McLellands.
Sergi has said Williams also submitted to a gun residue test and gave his cellphone to authorities when he was questioned after Hasse's death.
Authorities have released little information about the case except to say they continue to follow leads, including possible ties to a white supremacist gang.
One month before Hasse's death, the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a warning to authorities statewide that the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas could retaliate for an October indictment that targeted some of its leaders. McLelland's office was involved in that investigation.
Two other men have been arrested this month for "making a terroristic threat" in connection to the Kaufman County DA murder investigation.
Robert Miller is accused of threatening a county official on Facebook. Nick Morale is accused of leaving a threatening message on a telephone tip line set up to solicit information about the murders.
Miler and Morale both remain jailed on $1 million bond each.
A prayer walk is planned at the courthouse in Kaufman on Sunday afternoon on behalf of county workers and anyone else affected by the murders of two top officials. The walk is scheduled from noon until 1:30 p.m.
 ::snipping2::
Video at Link

[MuffyBee]

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/21964652/fbi-searching-home-of
Ex-Kaufman Co. JP arrested after home searched
Posted April 12, 2013, Updated April 13, 2013

KAUFMAN, Texas -
Former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams was arrested and booked into jail early Saturday morning after state and federal agents searched his home.

Eric Lyle Williams, 46, is being held on a $3 million bond at Kaufman County Jail.

He is charged with one count of making a terroristic threat and two counts of insufficient bond relating to a theft and burglary conviction from last year. Each charge carries a $1 million bond. FOX 4 has attempted to contact authorities and Williams' attorney for comment about the charges.

Williams is not charged with the murders of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife Cynthia, and Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse. Investigators have not named a person of interest in this triple murder investigation.
 ::snipping2::
Williams is a former Kaufman Co. JP who was tried by both prosecutor Mark Hasse and D.A. Mike McLelland and convicted of theft charges in 2012. He had to give up his JP seat due to the conviction.

Williams has been previously questioned by authorities, but has not been named a suspect in the McLelland case. His attorney issued a statement Friday night vigorously denying any allegations against his client.
 ::snipping2::
The search warrant was executed by the FBI, Kaufman County Sheriff's deputies and the Texas Rangers. All documents are sealed in this case.
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[MuffyBee]

http://www.kvue.com/home/202933541.html
Weapons, vehicle seized in Kaufman murders probe
April 14, 2013

News 8 has learned that 20 weapons were recovered from a unit at a Seagoville self-storage locker in connection with the unsolved Kaufman County murders.
Sources said the locker had been rented on behalf of former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams, who is curently jailed on unrelated charges.
A source tells News 8 federal investigators are conducting ballistics tests on the weapons, which are similar to those used to kill Kaufman County prosecutor Mark Hasse on January 31 and District Attorney Mike McClelland and his wife Cynthia, who were found dead at their home on March 30.
Sources said investigators also seized a Ford Crown Victoria sedan from the storage facility that was allegedly purchased by Williams back in February under a false name.
Sources said they have surveillance video of that vehicle driving into and out of the McLellands' neighborhood on the day they were slain.
Eric Williams — a former justice of the peace in Kaufman — is the main suspect in the murder case, sources told News 8. Sources said they obtained enough probable cause to search his home and other properties after having Williams under surveillance and by getting subpoenas in this case.
Williams was convicted last year for stealing three county-owned computers. Mark Hasse and Mike McLelland prosecuted him.
Williams also had his license to practice law suspended following his conviction.
 ::snipping2::
Williams remains in the Kaufman County Jail on a $3 million bond after being arrested at his home early Saturday morning for allegedly making terroristic threats.
Video at Link

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Weapons-vehicle-seized-in-Kaufman-murder-probe-202925341.html
Sources: Williams linked to threatening e-mail
April 14, 2013

On March 31, the day after Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife were found dead in their Forney home, someone sent an anonymous e-mail threatening additional attacks, sources tell News 8.
That e-mail was traced back to former Justice of the Peace Eric Williams, according to those sources.
Williams is the main suspect in the murder case, sources say. He is currently jailed on unrelated charges and being held on $3 million bond.
News 8 has learned that 20 weapons were recovered from a unit at a Seagoville self-storage locker in connection with the unsolved Kaufman County murders. Sources said the locker had been rented on behalf of Eric Williams.
A source tells News 8 federal investigators are conducting ballistics tests on the weapons, which are similar to those used to kill Kaufman County prosecutor Mark Hasse on January 31 and District Attorney Mike McClelland and his wife Cynthia, who were found dead at their home on March 30.
Sources said investigators also seized a Ford Crown Victoria sedan from the storage facility that was allegedly purchased by Williams back in February under a false name.
Sources said they have surveillance video of that vehicle driving into and out of the McLellands' neighborhood on the day they were slain.
Sources said law enforcement officials obtained enough probable cause to search Williams' home and other properties after placing Williams under surveillance and by getting subpoenas in this case.
 ::snipping2::
Williams remains in the Kaufman County Jail on a $3 million bond after being arrested at his home early Saturday morning for allegedly making terroristic threats.
Video at Link

[MuffyBee]

http://www.khou.com/news/local/montgomery-Inmate-accused-of-trying-to-hire-hitman-district-attorney-prosecutor-203012851.html
84-year-old woman charged in plot to ‘murder and maim’ Montgomery County prosecutors
April 15, 2013

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- An elderly inmate is accused of trying to hire a hitman to murder Montgomery County Assistant D.A. Robert Freyer and put D.A. Brett Ligon “in the hospital for two to three weeks.”
Officials on Monday identified the inmate as Dorothy Canfield, 84.
The district attorney’s office said Canfield was already behind bars on a second degree felony theft charge. A confidential informant led Texas Rangers to monitor Canfield’s communications.
Based on her alleged desire to hire a “hitman,” Canfield was given the name and phone number of an undercover Harris County District Attorney investigator. The investigator met with Canfield at the Montgomery County jail, officials said. During their conversation, Canfield agreed to pay the undercover officer $5,000 to kill Robert Freyer and $2,500 to put District Attorney Brett Ligon in the hospital for “two to three weeks.”
Early Monday, Canfield was interviewed by Texas Rangers, and she confessed to the plot, the D.A.’s office said.
Officials said prior to her confession, the Rangers showed her photographs from an unrelated crime scene and pretended that Robert Freyer had actually been killed. They said Dorothy Canfield showed no remorse.
The allegations come at a time of heightened security for district attorneys and their staffers across the state. It was late March when Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, were found dead in their North Texas home. Two months earlier, one of his assistant prosecutors was assassinated. Those murders are still under investigation, and no arrests have been made.
“Dorothy Canfield hoped to capitalize on the tragic murder of the Kaufman County District Attorney, his wife and Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse to disrupt the prosecution of her theft charge in the most violent way possible,” stated District Attorney Brett Ligon. “Criminals that plot and threaten to harm those in law enforcement and prosecution need to know that we are watching. The Texas Rangers and other law enforcement agencies are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to protect public servants from these types of threats. And when you are caught, as Ms. Canfield has been, expect us to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. We look forward to requesting a Montgomery County jury to give Ms. Canfield the justice she deserves.”

Canfield faces charges of solicitation to commit capital murder and solicitation to commit aggravated assault on a public servant.
 ::snipping2::
Video at Link

[MuffyBee]

http://www.kvue.com/news/Kaufman-investigators-suspect-misuse-of-computer-systems-connected-to-murders-203229971.html
Kaufman investigators suspect misuse of computer systems connected to murders
April 16, 2013

Investigators obtained a warrant last week to search a former Kaufman County justice of the peace's home based on suspicion that he accessed the Internet using county usernames and access codes without permission.
County officials on Tuesday released the warrant that investigators served at Eric Williams' Kaufman home on Friday. It was signed by a state district judge at 1:05 p.m., about two hours before authorities entered the residence at 1600 Overlook Drive.
An inventory detailing what was found inside the homes of Williams and his nearby in-laws remains sealed. However, the warrant says investigators had probable cause that they'd find evidence concerning the murders of District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife Cynthia and his top prosecutor Mark Hasse.
 ::snipping2::
He has not been charged in the murders, but has emerged as a person of interest. Williams, 46, has vigorously denied playing a role in the slayings. His New Braunfels-based attorney David Sergi resigned over the weekend. Before resigning, the lawyer issued the below statement on behalf of his former client:
 
"Eric simply does not want any more comments to feed a media frenzy which seems to have overtaken him. As mentioned in the press release, he has cooperated with law enforcement and vigorously denies any and all allegations. He wishes simply to get on with his life and hopes that the perpetrators are brought to justice."
 
Investigators are awaiting ballistics testing on weapons found in a Seagoville storage locker that authorities say was rented on his behalf. Currently, Williams is in being held in the Kaufman County Jail on $3 million bond. He's charged with making a terroristic threat; authorities linked Williams to an anonymous email threatening more violence after the McLellands were found killed, according to an arrest warrant made public Monday.
According to the search warrant, investigators suspected they would find evidence related to the murders and to an abuse of official power, a violation that involves a public servant using his or her office to benefit, harm or defraud another person.
Says the warrant, the suspicion is "concerning misuse of Kaufman County usernames and access codes to access internet services."

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/wife-of-former-kaufman-county-justice-peace-eric-williams-arrested-on-capital-murder-charge-mike-mcklelland-da-203385451.html
Wife of former Kaufman County JP arrested on capital murder charge
April 17, 2013

KAUFMAN - Kim Williams, the 46-year-old wife of former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams, was arrested and charged with capital murder.
Authorities have not revealed whether the charge is related to her husband's arrest. She is currently being held at the Kaufman County Jail on a $10 million bond, sources said.
Over the weekend, Mr. Williams, 46, was arrested on a terroristic threat charge. Sources told News 8 evidence linked Mr. Williams to the murders of prosecutor Mark Hasse, 57, and District Attorney Mike McLelland, 63, and his wife Cynthia, 65.
He was arrested at his home early Saturday morning and is being held at the Kaufman County Jail on a $3 million bond.
Previous to Mrs. Williams' arrest, sources told News 8 authorities were awaiting ballistic test results on weapons found in a storage locker rented in Seagoville on behalf of the former justice of the peace. More than 20 weapons were found inside the locker.
Authorities also said they were able to trace a threatening e-mail sent to county officials the day after the McLellands were fatally shot in their home back to Mr. Williams. The e-mail, sent anonymously, threatened more attacks.
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[MuffyBee]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/17/kaufman-county-prosecutors-killings-texas-wife-arrested/2090215/
Wife of ousted official arrested in Texas DA killings
April 17, 2013

Kim Williams is married to an ousted county official who had been convicted by the slain prosecutors for theft of public property.

The wife of a former Texas justice of the peace was arrested Wednesday on capital murder charges in the killings of the Kaufman County district attorney, his wife and a second prosecutor, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Kim Williams, 46, is the wife Eric Williams, the ousted justice of the peace who had been convicted by the two slain prosecutors in 2012 on charges of theft of public property. She was being held at the Kaufman County Jail on a $10 million bond, WFAA-TV reported.

 ::snipping2::
Eric Williams was arrested last week on charges of making a terrorist threat and is being held on $3 million bond. The News says he was arrested after a threatening email was allegedly traced to him.

Authorities searched the Williams' home last week. They also searched a storage locker linked to Eric Williams and recovered at least 20 weapons and a white Ford similar to one reportedly shown on surveillance video the night of one of the McLelland killings.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/kaufman-county-murders-charges-williams-203385431.html
Jailed wife of disgraced judge claims he was triggerman in Kaufman County killings
April 17, 2013

KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas --The wife of a former justice of the peace has been charged with three counts of capital murder for the shooting deaths of the Kaufman County DA, his wife and an assistant prosecutor.
Kim Lene Williams was arrested early Wednesday. Kaufman County sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Justin Lewis said Williams is being charged with all three deaths and being held on $10 million bond.
An affidavit released by the sheriff’s department Wednesday claims Mrs. Williams confessed that her husband was the person who pulled the trigger in all three shooting deaths.
Quoting from the affidavit: "Kim Williams described in detail her role along that of her husband, Eric Williams whom she reported to have shot to death Mark Hasse on January 31, 2013 and Michael and Cynthia McLelland on March 30, 2013."
The document alleges she told police details about the murders that were not made public.
 ::snipping2::
Mr. McLelland indicated to me very early on the day of Mark's murder that he felt like the person that needed to be investigated was Eric Williams," Wood said.
Williams is appealing his convictions.
In the sentencing phase of his trial, Kim Williams testified in her husband’s defense. She said she suffers from several illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome. She said her husband was her sole caregiver as well as the caregiver for her two ailing parents.
"Eric is a loving man," she testified. "He wouldn’t do anything to hurt anybody. I’m standing by him 100 percent."
Neighbors and coworkers described the couple as reserved. Some said Mr. Williams was a loner.　
"I would speak to him and it was like I was invisible, he never acknowledged I was there," said Diane Childs, a neighbor. "You would never think in real life that would be happening in your neighborhood."　
Kim Williams worked for Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Kaufman from May of 1999 until January of 2003.　
"I think a lot of us thought Mexican drug cartel or the Aryan Brotherhood, something like that," Childs said. "I never dreamed it would be three houses down from us."

Video at Link