Judge Hetson took the stand following the
afternoon break.
Prosecutor Tommy Wilson began taking
him through a step by step recitation of
his involvement in the hotly contested,
high stakes divorce case between Davis
and his estranged wife, Priscilla.
Judge also related the orders he
had handed down affecting Davis's
financial empire that any expenditures,
transactions, sales or loans
other than for the normal course of
business or living had to be approved by
both sides in the divorce or by the
court. The divorce judge said it
could be interpreted that Davis did not
have control of his vast assets.
Prosecutors contend that is why Davis
allegedly wanted Judge Edson killed.
That event strongly objected when Wilson
asked Edson about a February 1978
motion filed by Davis attorneys
asking that Hetson be removed as a judge
and the case be transferred to another
court. The motion was denied.
Defense attorney Richard Haynes claimed
reference to the motion was prejudicial
and had tainted the jury.
But he declined to tell reporters whether
he had asked for a mistrial.
Judge Hansen testified for only 45
minutes before the jury was dismissed
until 9:00 a.m.
tomorrow.
Bill Hix, The Texas News in Houston.