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Criminal Justice

Ex-lawyer gets death in murder of DA's wife; judge compares him to Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer

Disagreement by just one of 12 jurors would have prevented Eric Lyle Williams from getting the death penalty.

But after less than a half-day of deliberation, all agreed Wednesday that the former justice of the peace should get the ultimate punishment for shooting to death the wife of a Texas prosecutor, Courthouse News and WFAA report.

Judge Mike Snipes, who is overseeing the Rockwall County trial, compared Williams to infamous serial killers Charles Manson and Jeffrey Dahmer as he was sentenced .

Although the 47-year-old Williams has only been convicted of killing Cynthia McLelland, he is also charged with capital murder in the slayings last year of her husband, Kaufman County district attorney Mike McLelland, and his top assistant, Mark Hasse. Prosecutors have alleged that Williams wanted to kill others, as well, including the current district attorney in Kaufman County.

Among those who testified against Williams was his wife, Kim Williams, who is also charged with capital murder as the alleged getaway car driver in all three slayings. She said Cynthia McLelland was “collateral damage” in the DA’s slaying, which occurred at the same time in the couple’s home outside Dallas.

Related coverage:

ABAJournal.com: “Ex-lawyer found guilty of killing DA’s wife; jury to decide next week on death penalty”

ABAJournal.com: “Witnesses testify to prior threats by man who murdered DA’s wife, as jury mulls death penalty”