“Texas 7” Death Row Inmate Could Get New Trial

(WBAP/KLIF) — A judge says a “Texas 7” death row inmate deserves a new trial.

Judge Vickers Cunningham in trial of Randy Halprin – Photo courtesy of WFAA

49-year-old Randy Halprin was 23 when he and six other escaped prisoners brutally shot and killed Irving police officer Aubrey Hawkins on Christmas Eve in 2000. The Dallas County resident was convicted and sentenced to death in 2003 for his part in the killing of Hawkins. Halprin is Jewish and Judge Vickers Cunningham is accused of using racist slurs and antisemitic language during the 2003 trial.

Now, District Judge Lela Mays says that Halprin deserves another trial because the judge who presided over his case “harbored antisemitic bias.”

Bill Cunningham – brother of Judge Vickers Cunningham – Photo courtesy of WFAA

Bill Cunningham is Vickers brother and testified previously that his brother was racist and should have never been appointed to a judgeship.

Vickers Cunningham is no longer a judge, but currently works as an attorney. Judge May has now sent the case to the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals.

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