Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 20, 2006 15:12:00 GMT -5
Trial Starts, East Texas Man Accused Of Murdering 93-Year-Old
The capital murder trial of Clifton Lamar Williams began today. Williams
is accused of robbing, stabbing 93 year old Cecelia Schneider in Tyler
last year and then burning her house down. Because of a leak in Judge
Cynthia Kent's courtroom yesterday Williams' trial was delayed. Today, the
trial began in a federal courtroom.
Smith County District Attorney, Matt Bingham's opening statements lasted
almost an hour. Bingham demonstrated for the jury- how he believes
Williams stabbed Schneider in her heart with a knife. He says that
explains the cut on Williams' hand. Bingham says Williams' DNA was found
in Schneider's car: from his blood and saliva from a cigarette.
The defense argued the cut on Williams' hand is from fighting with a man.
They say Clifton Williams is also known as "Crazy C" because he's a mental
patient from the Andrews Center in Tyler. The defense says an acquaintance
of Williams' forced him to go to Schneider's home that night.
The jury makeup in this trial is 5 women and 9 men that includes the 2
alternates. If convicted, Williams faces the death penalty. Judge Kent
told the jury it may take up to 2 to 3 weeks. She also said they may be
able to move back to the Smith County Courthouse on Thursday.
(source: KLTV News)
The capital murder trial of Clifton Lamar Williams began today. Williams
is accused of robbing, stabbing 93 year old Cecelia Schneider in Tyler
last year and then burning her house down. Because of a leak in Judge
Cynthia Kent's courtroom yesterday Williams' trial was delayed. Today, the
trial began in a federal courtroom.
Smith County District Attorney, Matt Bingham's opening statements lasted
almost an hour. Bingham demonstrated for the jury- how he believes
Williams stabbed Schneider in her heart with a knife. He says that
explains the cut on Williams' hand. Bingham says Williams' DNA was found
in Schneider's car: from his blood and saliva from a cigarette.
The defense argued the cut on Williams' hand is from fighting with a man.
They say Clifton Williams is also known as "Crazy C" because he's a mental
patient from the Andrews Center in Tyler. The defense says an acquaintance
of Williams' forced him to go to Schneider's home that night.
The jury makeup in this trial is 5 women and 9 men that includes the 2
alternates. If convicted, Williams faces the death penalty. Judge Kent
told the jury it may take up to 2 to 3 weeks. She also said they may be
able to move back to the Smith County Courthouse on Thursday.
(source: KLTV News)