Clara Harris, Former In-Laws Begin Court Fight

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.

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