Randy Halprin, a member of the Texas Seven, awaits a new trial set for 2027, after his conviction was overturned due to judicial bias from antisemitic remarks.
DALLAS — One of the men involved in the infamous Texas Seven prison escape was back in court Friday as a judge discussed whether his new trial should be moved up.
Randy Halprin, who had been on death row for more than two decades, was granted a new trial after an appeals court overturned his conviction. The ruling came after evidence surfaced that the judge in his original trial made antisemitic remarks. Halprin is Jewish.
Halprin was one of seven inmates who escaped from a prison near Kenedy, Texas, in December 2000. Weeks later, on Christmas Eve, the group robbed an Oshman’s sporting goods store in Irving and shot and killed Irving police officer Aubrey Hawkins.
Several members of the Texas Seven have already been executed.
Halprin’s retrial is currently scheduled for 2027, but during a hearing on Friday, Judge Lela Mays asked prosecutors and defense attorneys if they wanted to move the trial to this year.
The timing could matter because Dallas County will soon have a new district attorney. Amber Givens is set to take over the office from John Creuzot.
Creuzot is currently seeking the death penalty in Halprin’s case — the only time during his tenure as district attorney that he has pursued capital punishment.
Judge Mays asked both sides whether they wanted to move the trial up since it’s unclear what approach the next district attorney may take.
But both prosecutors and defense attorneys said they need more time to prepare.
“We have box and box and box… we have so much discovery,” Halprin attorney Heath Harris told the court. “Our concern is being ready to defend. Right now they are seeking the death penalty, and we are trying to figure out how to defend Mr. Halprin.”
For now, the retrial remains scheduled for 2027.