Ex-Judge EXECUTES Three in Revenge Rampage

A disgraced former Texas justice of the peace orchestrated a calculated murder spree against the prosecutors who ended his career, executing three people including a district attorney’s wife in cold blood and celebrating with a steak dinner.

Story Snapshot

Eric Williams, a former justice of the peace, shot and killed two Kaufman County prosecutors and one spouse in 2013 after being prosecuted for theft and burglary
Williams’ wife Kim served as getaway driver and helped dispose of weapons, with the couple allegedly celebrating the murders with a cookout
The revenge plot included a hit list of judges and prosecutors, an arsenal of over 30 guns, and a self-incriminating anonymous tip to authorities
Williams received a death sentence in December 2014 in what experts called an unprecedented assault on the criminal justice system

From Courthouse to Crime Scene

Eric Williams’ descent from law enforcement officer to cold-blooded killer began with a 2012 theft conviction. Prosecutors Mark Hasse and Mike McLelland built a case against Williams for stealing office equipment from his justice of the peace position. The conviction cost Williams everything—his job, his law license, and his standing in Kaufman County, located roughly 30 miles southeast of Dallas. Rather than accept responsibility, Williams blamed the prosecutors who brought him to justice. He began planning an elaborate revenge scheme that would terrorize Texas legal officials.

Daylight Execution and Home Invasion

On January 31, 2013, around 8:40 a.m., a masked gunman approached Chief Felony Prosecutor Mark Hasse outside the Kaufman County courthouse. Williams fired five shots, killing Hasse as he reportedly yelled “I’m sorry” before dying. Kim Williams drove the getaway car while her husband escaped. Two months later, on the Saturday before Easter, Williams escalated his rampage. He stormed into District Attorney Mike McLelland’s home in the predawn hours, shooting both McLelland and his wife Cynthia over a dozen times each. Cynthia received an execution-style shot to the forehead. The couple allegedly celebrated their crimes with a steak cookout.

A Taunting Confession

Williams’ arrogance proved instrumental in his capture. Within 24 hours of murdering the McLellands, he sent an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers confessing to details only the killer could know. The message threatened additional murders unless a judge resigned by Friday at 4 p.m. Investigators discovered Williams had prepared methodically, renting a storage unit through a friend to stockpile weapons, purchasing a white Crown Victoria as a getaway vehicle, and compiling a hit list that included Judge Glen Ashworth and DA Erleigh Norville Wiley. His arsenal contained over 30 firearms and tactical gear.

Justice System Under Siege

Prosecutor Bill Wirskye characterized the murders as “pure revenge,” explaining Williams wanted to take the lives of those who prosecuted him. Author Kathryn Casey noted Williams saw himself as “entitled to this revenge,” viewing others as mere collateral damage. The killings represented the first time two prosecutors from the same office were murdered, creating fear throughout Texas legal communities. Rural prosecutors and judges suddenly confronted their vulnerability. The case highlighted dangers facing public officials who hold criminals accountable, particularly in areas with limited security resources. This assault on the justice system forced a reckoning about protecting those who serve the public by enforcing the law.

Death Sentence and Unanswered Questions

Kim Williams’ testimony proved pivotal during Eric’s trial, held in Rockwall County. In December 2014, a jury sentenced Eric Williams to death for his revenge murders. The McLelland family delivered victim impact statements confronting the man who destroyed their lives. Williams sits on death row, though execution details remain unclear from available records. Kim Williams’ ultimate legal fate after testifying against her husband is not documented in recent sources. The case stands as a grim reminder that those entrusted with upholding the law can become its most dangerous enemies when personal grievance overrides duty and honor.