A judge is recommending that McKinney native Randy Halprin get a new trial in the case that has had him on death row for two decades.
Halprin was condemned to death for his part in the Christmas Eve 2000 shooting that killed Irving police officer Aubrey Hawkins less than two weeks after Halprin and six other inmates, who came to be known as the Texas Seven, escaped from a Texas prison.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halted his 2019 execution and ordered a Texas district judge to review the case. Now, Judge Lela Mays has recommended a new trial because of allegations that Halprin's trial judge held anti-semitic sentiments.
Halprin is Jewish and contends that the judge was prejudiced against him. Mays' decision is not final. The last word will now from the Criminal Appeals court.
Of the Texas Seven gang, one committed suicide. Four others have already been executed while only Halprin and Dallas native Patrick Murphy remain on death row.
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