HOUSTON – Clara Harris, on trial for allegedly murdering her husband by running him over in a hotel parking lot, broke down in tears Tuesday afternoon and was removed from the courtroom, News2Houston reported.
The Harris County medical examiner was testifying about how David Harris died and the injuries he sustained the night of July 24 when Clara Harris began crying.
Graphic pictures of David Harris' body were also shown.
Clara Harris never looked at the pictures, but began weeping uncontrollably as she listened to the testimony.
Her attorney led her out of the courtroom for a short time so she could compose herself.
The trial was briefly halted and jurors were removed from the courtroom.
Clara Harris, 44, is charged with murdering her orthodontist husband, David Harris, 44, after a confrontation with him and his alleged mistress, Gail Bridges, in the lobby of the Hilton Nasa Clear Lake, Nasa Road 1, in Nassau Bay.
Earlier Tuesday, prosecutors focused on the condition of the luxury car that killed David Harris.
Jurors were told that the brakes on the Mercedes-Benz were working.
A detective also documented crime scene evidence.
He testified that the distance between the ground and the bottom of the car was 6 inches.
Blood, hair and tissue were found on the bottom of Clara Harris' Mercedes-Benz, according to the detective.
Six handprints were found on the hood.
"Are these fingerprints in front of the car consistent with David Harris standing in front of the car grabbing onto the hood?" asked Mia Magness, the prosecutor.
Detective Julio Rincones answered, "Yes."
Rincones also testified that he found a checkbook in the car belonging to Clara Harris. On the back, the phone number and address of Gail Bridges, the alleged mistress, were listed.
In cross-examination, defense attorneys used the checkbook to show how Clara Harris spent her money days before David Harris died.
She used checks at a hair salon, nail salon, spa, a one-year gym membership, Victoria Secret, a clothing store and a plastic surgeon's office, according to testimony.
Defense attorneys said that her checkbook registry proves that Clara Harris was a desperate woman doing whatever possible to keep her husband.
Prosecutors also played several 911 calls for the jury.
One caller said, "We've got a guy in a car who went nuts and run over somebody."
The defense claims David Harris's death was an accident.
Wednesday, prosecutors are expected to call David Harris' 17-year-old daughter, Lindsey, to testify.
Then, the state is expected to rest its case.
If convicted, Clara Harris faces up to life in prison.
If jurors determine she acted under the legal definition of sudden passion, they could consider a lighter sentence of two to 20 years in prison.
Previous Stories:
- 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
- November 1, 2002: Harris Featured In Magazine Article
- 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
- July 31, 2002: P.I. Turns Over Video Of Dentist's Death
- July 29, 2002: Judge: Dentist To Remain Free
- July 26, 2002: Wife Free After Allegedly Running Over Husband
- July 25, 2002: Police: Wife Runs Over Cheating Husband