HOUSTON – Clara Harris returned to a Houston courtroom Thursday in a fight over money with her former in-laws, KPRC Local 2 reported.
Opening arguments began in the wrongful death civil trial against Harris, who was convicted of running over and killing her husband in a hotel parking lot.
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Gerald and Mildred Harris filed the lawsuit in 2004; two years after their former daughter-in-law murdered their son, David.
Gerald and Mildred Harris supported Clara during her criminal trial and testified on her behalf. After her conviction, Clara decided not to give her in-laws custody of the two children she had with their son.
"Immediately after sentencing, Millie gets handed a note from Clara," attorney Richard Howell said. "It goes from Clara, to her housekeeper, to Millie. It says, 'I'm not giving you custody of the kids. They're going to my neighbors.' The first time she (Mildred) ever knows about it is the day she's sentenced."
Clara Harris's attorney said her former in-laws decided to file the wrongful death lawsuit after she refused to give them custody of their grandchildren and at the urging of her dead husband's brother.
The couple said that Clara Harris should hand over at least $5 million so that they can ensure the money goes to their grandchildren. Attorneys said Gerald and Mildred Harris are angry that Clara Harris was awarded money from their son's estate.
"Clara's getting too much money. How much, we're not sure, but in excess of $1 million," Howell said. "He said that needs to go to the grandkids."
Defense attorneys said David Harris' will left everything to Clara and nothing to his parents.
"They were furious and they have never forgiven Clara for that and they won't forgive Clara for that," defense attorney Dean Blumrosen said.
Blumrosen also said that Clara Harris also objected to her in-laws allowing the children to be exposed to another relative's adulterous relationship.
"You'll hear testimony from Mildred that Clara was furious and she asked that that not take place in her home in front of her boys," Blumrosen said.
Some of the same witnesses who testified at the criminal trial are expected to testify in the civil trial.
Clara Harris is also expected to be called to testify but might take the Fifth Amendment instead. She does not want to say anything that could affect her appeal of the criminal trial.
The exact value of David Harris' estate has not been revealed.
Clara Harris refused to sign an affidavit attesting to how much money was left. After the probate of David Harris' will, Clara Harris received more than $1 million. Some of that money has been used for legal fees and some was tied up in homes that were later sold.
She wore prison scrubs in court, something she is not required to do. Her former in-law's attorneys said the move was a play for the jury's sympathy.
Clara Harris ran down her husband in the parking lot of the Nassau Bay Hilton on July 24, 2002, after catching him at the hotel with another woman.
She was convicted on Feb. 13, 2003, and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
Previous Stories:
- September 5, 2006: Clara Harris Blames Conviction On Attorney
- February 21, 2005: Clara Harris Wins Round Against Former Attorney
- December 16, 2004: 3-Judge Panel Upholds Harris' Conviction
- November 4, 2004: Harris Files Lawsuit, Claims Lawyer Overcharged Her
- October 6, 2004: Clara Harris Wants Conviction Overturned
- October 2, 2004: Attorneys Ask Judge Not To Preside Over Harris Appeal
- July 22, 2004: In-Laws Sue Clara Harris Over Son's Death
- November 25, 2003: Harris' Attorneys File Murder Conviction Appeal
- September 26, 2003: David Harris' Mistress Breaks Her Silence
- September 15, 2003: Custody Decided For Clara Harris' Children
- May 28, 2003: Custody Compromise Reached For Clara Harris' Twins
- May 20, 2003: Clara Harris Speaks Out From Jail
- May 9, 2003: Exclusive: In-Laws Support, Love Clara Harris
- May 7, 2003: Custody Battle Begins Over Harris Children
- February 18, 2003: Hotel Official Fired After Testifying In Clara Harris Trial
- February 17, 2003: Clara Harris Says She Still Loves Her Dead Husband
- February 14, 2003: Jurors Send Clara Harris To Prison
- February 14, 2003: Jury Considers Punishment For Clara Harris
- February 13, 2003: Clara Harris Guilty, Sentencing Begins
- February 12, 2003: Jurors Deliberate Clara Harris Case
- February 12, 2003: Jurors Set To Begin Deliberations In Clara Harris Case
- February 11, 2003: Closing Arguments Wednesday In Harris Trial
- February 11, 2003: Jurors Told To Bring Toothbrushes In Clara Harris Trial
- February 10, 2003: Defense Rests In Clara Harris Trial
- February 10, 2003: Clara Harris Retakes Stand
- February 7, 2003: Harris: Didn't Mean To Run Over Husband
- February 5, 2003: Clara Harris' Attorney Collapses Outside Courtroom
- February 4, 2003: Defense Goes After Victim In Clara Harris Case
- January 31, 2003: Collision Expert Testifies About Harris' Death
- January 30, 2003: Accusations Fly After Harris Daughter Testifies
- January 30, 2003: State Rests In Clara Harris Case
- January 29, 2003: Harris' Daughter Testifies: 'She Meant To Kill Him'
- January 29, 2003: Stepdaughter To Testify In Clara Harris' Trial
- January 27, 2003: Private Investigator Testifies In Clara Harris Trial
- January 27, 2003: Clara Harris Trial Enters Second Week
- January 23, 2003: Witnesses Describe Harris Running Over Husband
- January 22, 2003: Jury Seated In Clara Harris Trial
- January 22, 2003: Jury Selection Continues In Harris' Murder Trial
- January 21, 2003: Jurors To Be Picked For Clara Harris' Trial
- January 16, 2003: Harris' Stepdaughter's Remarks Spark Debate
- November 19, 2002: Audiotapes Allege Clara Harris Also Having Affair
- October 23, 2002: Harris Asks P.I. For Refund After Husband's Death
- October 18, 2002: Clara Harris Pleads Not Guilty
- October 10, 2002: Grand Jury Indicts Clara Harris
- August 23, 2002: Clara Harris' Murder Trial Set
- August 2, 2002: Slain Orthodontist's Daughter Files Suit
- July 26, 2002: Wife Free After Allegedly Running Over Husband