The Clara Harris Case
Verdict: Murderess Clara Harris Must Pay $3.75 Million Sued under Wrongful Death Act
A Houston jury returned a verdict for Gerald and Mildred Harris, clients of
high-profile attorney Joe Stephens on January 19, 2007 in Judge David Bernal’s
court. The jury unanimously found that Clara Harris must pay 3.75 million in
the wrongful death lawsuit. The case involved the friendswood dentist who ran
over her husband David Harris in her Mercedes while in a jealous rage two years
ago. The victim's daughter was in the car as Clara Harris circled the parking
lot running over his body numerous times.
The case closes out another chapter in the sensational case that has drawn international attention. Most say it is the most highly publicized case in Houston history.
Though the Harris’ had stood by her side in the Criminal Murder Trial, immediately after her murder conviction, Ms. Harris would not allow the Harris’ to have custody of their Grandchildren. Instead, she wanted to give them to a neighbor. Gerald and Mildred, well respected people in their church, and community were stunned. Then, she refused to deal fairly with the family on the proceeds of her large estate. Gerald and Mildred Harris felt that she had run over the family long enough and turned to Joe Stephens because of his reputation for being able to talk to juries. In this case involving unspeakable domestic violence, Joe Stephens proved that Clara Harris murdered her husband in cold blood. Unbelievably, Clara Harris’lawyer continued to deny she had intended to run over him despite the video footage that most people around the world had viewed. After Clara Harris took the Fifth Amendment 27 times while on the witness stand, the jury found her claims incredulous. The jury found that Clara Harris must pay her dead husband’s parents $3.75 million for the emotional torment, mental anguish, and loss of companionship they suffered due to her conduct. After verdict, the case settled for a confidential amount.
The case has received a vast amount of media coverage. To read more, please see the links below.
- January 19, 2007 : Clara Harris to pay $3.75 million
- January 18, 2007 : Jury in deliberations over death of cheating husband
- January 17, 2007: A jury decides Clara Harris must pay her in-laws $3.75
- 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 20, 2003: Harris' Stepdaughter Sues Hotel, Detective Agency
- 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
- September 18, 2002: Custody Battle Stems From High-Profile Murder
- August 23, 2002: Clara Harris' Murder Trial Set
- August 2, 2002: Slain Orthodontist's Daughter Files Suit
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