Attorneys for Kaufman DA murder suspect Eric Williams will ask a judge Friday to delay his trial, a day after authorities again searched Williams' former Kaufman home.
A 14-page motion filed by Williams' lawyers says they need more time to review evidence in the case and the current schedule of Sept. 22 is too soon to begin picking a jury.
There is apparently new evidence to review in the case after Thursday morning's search.
Deputies with the Kaufman County Sheriff's Department conducted the search along with special prosecutors and agents with the Texas Rangers, ATF and FBI.
Several bags of what appeared to be evidence were removed from the house, but authorities declined to say what they had taken. The search was over by noon.
Eric Williams, a former Kaufman County justice of the peace, is accused of capital murder for the deaths of Assistant Kaufman County District Attorney Mark Hasse, District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia.
Hasse was shot and killed while walking near the Kaufman courthouse in January 2013.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
McLelland and his wife were killed inside their home about two months later.
[[203637161,C]]
Court papers obtained last week outlined the case prosecutors were building against Williams. In those documents, prosecutors said Williams conspired to kill others.
Williams trial is scheduled for Dec. 1.
Authorities linked a weapon recovered in an area lake to Hasse's death.
Williams’ estranged wife Kim was also arrested in the case. No trial date has been set for her.
Authorities have said Kim Williams confessed to helping her husband commit the murders in retribution for convictions for burglary and theft the prosecutors won against Williams, ending his legal career. Kim Williams has filed for divorce since the murders.
Authorities declined to confirm whether Kim Williams provided new information that led to Thursday’s search of the house.
Kaufman Sheriff’s Department Captain Fred Klingelberger said the new search was “due diligence,” and the investigators could return.
The house is now in the hands of lenders. Klingelberger said a representative of the estate consented to Thursday’s search.
