Dive team searching lake for weapons used in Kaufman Co. DA slayings

KAUFMAN COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - A dive team is searching an East Texas lake Wednesday for weapons used in the March 2013 slayings of the Kaufman County district attorney, his wife and the assistant district attorney.

A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that a Texas Department of Public Safety dive team is searching Lake Tawakoni after receiving a tip that weapons used in the crime may be located in the water. The official spoke anonymously because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation.

A DPS spokesmen and Kaufman County Sheriff David Byrnes confirmed that the search was taking place, but declined to say if it was linked to the case.

On March 30, 2013, Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife were found dead in their Forney home. The front door of their home was found kicked in and both victims were found with gunshot wounds. Kaufman County Chief Deputy Mark Hasse was gunned down on January 31, 2013 while walking to the Kaufman County Courthouse.

Former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams and his wife, Kim Williams, were arrested in April 2013 for their alleged involvement in the crime. Both are charged with capital murder and could face the death penalty if convicted. Jury selection for their trials is set to begin this Spring.

Lake Tawakoni is located thirty miles southwest of Sulphur Springs.

Copyright 2014 KLTV All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.