Homicide

Estranged wife tells jury that ex-judge in Texas fatally shot 3, she was 'willing participant'

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Special prosecutor Bill Wirskye asks Kim Williams, the estranged wife of Eric Williams, a few questions during the punishment phase of the Eric Williams trial at the Rockwall County Courthouse in Rockwall, Texas, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014. Williams was convicted Dec. 4 in the shooting death of Cynthia McLelland. He is also charged, but has not been tried, in the deaths of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and assistant prosecutor Mark Hasse. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Vernon Bryant, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Kim Williams, the estranged wife of Eric Williams, testifies during the punishment phase of the Eric Williams trial at the Rockwall County Courthouse in Rockwall, Texas, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014. Williams was convicted Dec. 4 in the shooting death of Cynthia McLelland. He is also charged, but has not been tried, in the deaths of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and assistant prosecutor Mark Hasse. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Vernon Bryant, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Eric Williams walks in to the courtroom after a recess during the sentencing phase of his capital murder trial at the Rockwall County Courthouse in Rockwall, Texas, Monday, Dec. 15, 2014. Williams was convicted for the murder of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia McLelland back in 2013. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Andy Jacobsohn, Pool) (The Associated Press)

The estranged wife of a former Texas justice of the peace has testified that her husband fatally shot a district attorney, his wife and a senior prosecutor.

Eric Williams was convicted Dec. 4 in the shooting death of Cynthia McLelland. He is also charged, but has not been tried, in the deaths of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and assistant prosecutor Mark Hasse (HAS'-ee).

Kim Williams, who is also charged in the slayings, told jurors Tuesday that she was a "willing participant." Prosecutors say she drove the getaway car.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Eric Williams. They say he launched a revenge plot to kill the three because McLelland and Hasse prosecuted him for stealing county equipment, leading to him losing his job and law license.