Woman who ran over cheating spouse takes former attorney to trial
Now here’s an interesting twist in a bizarre case, as reported in the Houston Chronicle today:
HOUSTON — The famous saga of a woman who killed her cheating husband by mowing him down with her luxury car returns to court Tuesday in a civil case Clara Harris filed against her former defense attorney.
Jury selection is set to begin more than three years after Harris filed a lawsuit claiming Houston attorney George Parnham overcharged to defend her in the 2003 murder trial that garnered international attention.
Harris, 50, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for running over her philandering spouse in a hotel parking lot in 2002 after confronting him with his mistress. The lawsuit claims Harris hired Parnham for $75,000 but wound up paying more than $235,000.
Lawyers for Parnham, whose list of past clients includes Andrea Yates, have argued that Harris is the one who still owes money. “She’s mad about how much he charged her,” said Charles Babcock, who is representing Parnham.
Opening statements are scheduled for Wednesday in the trial, which is expected to last about a week.
