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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Couple implicated in Texas killings

Wife charged with helping in crimes

Danny Robbins Associated Press

KAUFMAN, Texas – In a surprising twist, the wife of a jailed former justice of the peace was charged Wednesday with capital murder after authorities say she confessed to helping her husband kill two North Texas prosecutors who aggressively secured a theft conviction against him.

The overnight arrest and charge against Kim Lene Williams is the latest turn in an investigation that had recently focused on Eric Williams after authorities searched his home and a nearby storage facility stocked with guns. An arrest affidavit alleges she told investigators Tuesday that her husband shot and killed Kaufman County assistant prosecutor Mark Hasse in January and District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife last month.

Eric Williams, 46, who has not yet been charged in the slayings, remained jailed on a $3 million bond Wednesday on a charge of making a terroristic threat. Kim Williams, 46, was being held on a $10 million bond.

“I don’t think anyone could have written a novel that would play out like this,” said Kaufman County Judge Bruce Wood.

McLelland and Hasse prosecuted Eric Williams last year for theft of three computer monitors from a county building. Williams was convicted, sentenced to probation and lost his law license and his elected position as justice of the peace – a judge who handles mostly administrative duties.

McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, were found dead March 30 in their home, two months after Hasse was gunned down near the county courthouse. Wood said the DA told him after Hasse was killed that he believed Eric Williams was behind the attack.

Eric Williams was arrested Saturday on allegations he sent an email to authorities – one day after the McLellands’ bodies were discovered – implying there would be another attack if authorities didn’t respond to various demands.