Inside the Eric Williams Case:How Eric Williams Killed Two Kaufman County Prosecutors in a Grudge-Fueled Revenge Plot

Kaufman County, Texas was rocked by a series of brutal murders in 2013.

These killings were masterminded by a man who once served as a trusted justice of the peace. 

This is the chilling story of Eric Williams, a man whose revenge plot led to the deaths of two prosecutors and an innocent woman.

Who is Eric Williams? 

Eric Williams was once a respected figure in Kaufman County, Texas, serving as a Justice of the Peace. 

With a background in criminal justice and law, he had built a stable career in public service. 

He was known for his sharp legal mind, and he was seen as a dedicated official. 

However, his life took a drastic turn in 2011 when he was accused of stealing three computer monitors from a county building. 

This incident led to a legal battle that ultimately destroyed his career.

The case against him was aggressively pursued by Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his top prosecutor, Mark Hasse. 

In the end, Williams was found guilty of theft and official misconduct.

The verdict led to the loss of his job, law license, and the right to possess a firearm.

The conviction left him humiliated and jobless, pushing him into a deep well of resentment.

Eric Williams

His wife, Kim Williams, a former nursing assistant, stood by him as his anger grew.

They felt betrayed by the justice system, and soon, Williams became obsessed with the idea that McLelland and Hasse had unfairly targeted him. 

This feeling of injustice grew, turning into a strong desire for revenge.

As a result if this feeing, the couple isolated from their community.

They then started stockpiling weapons and plotting retaliation against those they believed had wronged them. 

What began as a desire for revenge quickly escalated into a series of violent crimes that rocked Kaufman County to its core. 

The Murders of Mike McLelland and Mark Hasse

Eric Williams' thirst for revenge turned deadly in early 2013. 

On January 31, 2013, Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse was ambushed and gunned down in broad daylight.

He was murdered while walking to the courthouse. 

Witnesses reported seeing a masked gunman fleeing the scene, leaving the small town of Kaufman in shock. 

Hasse's murder sent a chilling message, but no one knew who was behind it.

Mark Hasse

Just two months later, on March 30, 2013, another horrifying attack occurred. 

Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, were found brutally murdered in their own home. 

The couple had been shot multiple times, with the assailant using an assault rifle. 

The calculated nature of the crime indicated it was a planned execution, not a random act of violence. 

The McLellands' deaths sent fear rippling through the community, especially among those working in the legal system.

This led to heightened security for public officials and a desperate search for the perpetrators. 

Little did they know, the man behind the killings was a former public servant seeking twisted retribution.

Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia

The Investigation and Arrest of Eric and Kim Williams

The investigation into the murders of Mark Hasse and Mike McLelland, along with his wife Cynthia, was one of the most intense in Kaufman County's history. 

After Mark Hasse's brazen daytime killing, law enforcement were under immense pressure to find answers. 

But with no immediate leads and a masked assailant, the case quickly went cold.

However, the brutal slaying of the McLellands two months later forced investigators to connect the dots. 

Authorities began to suspect the two incidents were linked due to the similar style of execution and high-profile targets within the legal community. 

A task force, including the FBI, Texas Rangers, and local law enforcement, was established to hunt down the killers. 

The task force worked around the clock, pursuing every lead.

They scrutinized surveillance footage, and interviewed anyone who might have had a motive.

As investigators dug deeper, a tip led them to consider Eric Williams as a potential suspect. 

They discovered that Eric Williams, had a public feud with both Hasse and McLelland after they prosecuted him for theft in 2012, which cost him his career. 

Suspicion grew when police also discovered Williams had made threats to the victims in the past.

Eric Williams

A search warrant was executed on Eric Williams' storage unit and it revealed a cache of weapons.

This included the assault rifles similar to the ones used in the McLelland murders. 

Ballistic tests linked the weapons to the crime scenes, providing crucial evidence. 

Investigators also found a stolen car tied to the shootings and discovered emails on Williams' computer detailing plans for further attacks.

The case was finally cracked open when Williams' wife, Kim, was brought in for questioning. 

Under pressure, she confessed.

She revealed that Eric was the mastermind behind the killings and that she had assisted him in the plot. 

With her cooperation, authorities had enough evidence to arrest Eric Williams. 

On April 18, 2013, both Eric and Kim Williams were taken into custody, bringing an end to their reign of terror in Kaufman County.

Kim Williams in court

The Trial and Sentences

The trial of Eric Williams was one of the most high-profile cases in Texas

The prosecution argued that Williams meticulously planned the murders as an act of revenge for the loss of his legal career.

After weeks of testimony, the jury took just over an hour to convict Eric Williams of capital murder. 

He was sentenced to death for his role in the killings.

He is currently on death row in Texas

Meanwhile, Kim Williams, who cooperated with authorities, pleaded guilty to her involvement.

She received a 40-year prison sentence in exchange for her testimony, sparing her from the death penalty.

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