Texas Seven prison escapee Randy Halprin will get a new trial in Dallas County because the judge at his 2003 capital murder trial harbored antisemitic views, the state’s highest criminal court ruled Wednesday.

Halprin, who is Jewish, is one of seven inmates who escaped from the John B. Connally Unit near Kenedy in December 2000 before fatally shooting Irving police Officer Aubrey Hawkins during a Christmas Eve robbery. Halprin was convicted and sentenced to death for his role in Hawkins’ killing, but he has denied being one of the men who shot the officer.

Texas’ Court of Criminal Appeals previously halted his execution because of allegations former state District Judge Vickers Cunningham who presided over Halprin’s trial was prejudiced against him.

The ruling takes a step toward “broader trust in the criminal law by throwing out a hopelessly tainted death judgment handed down by a bigoted and biased judge,” Halprin’s attorney Tivon Schardl said in a statement.

“By upholding the Constitution’s requirement of fair and equal treatment, the Court of Criminal Appeals promoted faith in the criminal law,” he said. “It also reminded Texans that religious bigotry has no place in our courts.”

When reached over text Wednesday afternoon, Cunningham said “I’m in court right now.” An employee at his law office declined to comment and said Cunningham would have no comment. Cunningham has previously denied the allegation, saying the accusations were “lies from my estranged brother and his friends.”

In their 5-4 opinion, the justices found Cunningham had a history of using derogatory language toward Jewish people; made “offensive, antisemitic remarks” about Halprin during his trial; and ridiculed Jewish donors to his failed campaign for district attorney.

“The uncontradicted evidence supports a finding that Cunningham formed an opinion about Halprin that derived from an extrajudicial factor — Cunningham’s poisonous antisemitism,” the ruling reads.

In a concurring opinion, Judge Bert Richardson said the case isn’t just one where the action of a trial judge may look bad or there’s the appearance of impropriety. “This is a case,” he wrote, “where a person’s lifelong hatred and prejudice against Jews made him unfit to preside over this case.”

Cunningham’s brother, Bill Cunningham, told The Dallas Morning News in 2018 that Vic Cunningham was a lifelong racist. The then-judge said he wasn’t a bigot but confirmed a trust fund set up for his children has a stipulation that includes rewards for marrying a person who is white, Christian and the opposite sex.

Since Halprin’s execution was stayed, another district judge reviewed and weighed in on the case, recommending his conviction and death sentence should be tossed. After a three-day hearing, Tarrant County prosecutors also agreed Halprin’s right to a fair trial was violated. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot recused his office from the case.

A spokeswoman for the Dallas County district attorney’s office declined to comment. The Tarrant County DA’s office did not immediately respond to an email.

“It is indeed unfortunate that Aubrey Hawkins’ family, our officers, our department, and our city will have to endure the reopening of old wounds and relive the horrors of what transpired,” Irving police Chief Derick Miller said in statement. “Waiting almost 24 years for justice has already been a long and difficult journey, and it appears that we must now prepare to wait a bit longer.”

The chief added: “We remain steadfast in our commitment to seeking justice for Aubrey Hawkins and his loved ones, and we hope that the legal process will ultimately lead to a resolution that honors his memory and the sacrifices made by all involved.”

All members of the Texas Seven were sentenced to death except for Larry Harper, who died by suicide to avoid capture. Four were executed. Patrick Murphy remains on death row.

Before the escape, Halprin was serving a 30-year sentence for beating a child in Tarrant County.

Schardl, Halprin’s lawyer, said Halprin will likely be sent to Dallas for the proceedings in the 283rd District Court. Creuzot has not sought the death penalty since taking office in 2019.

The Dallas Cowboys have dropped three straight games following a 21-27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Though the final score appeared close, the game was largely in Atlanta’s control after the first half.

Once again, Dallas struggled to find an offensive rhythm in crucial moments, and the defense couldn’t keep them competitive. Questionable fourth-down play-calling only added to the defensive challenges, putting them in difficult positions throughout the game.

Here are the players who saw their stock rise or fall after another disappointing week for the Dallas Cowboys.

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Dak Prescott, QB

Dak Prescott’s season has been a disappointment for the Cowboys, and that doesn’t inspire confidence in their future, especially with him being the highest-paid player in the NFL.

His passing numbers have been underwhelming when he’s been in the game, and, for the first time in over a season and a half, he started running the ball more frequently.

Normally, this would be a positive, as Cowboys fans have missed Prescott’s dual-threat ability. Unfortunately, during one of his runs, he sustained a hamstring injury, which ultimately landed him on IR.

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Trevon Diggs, CB

Trevon Diggs has struggled in recent weeks, with his latest outing against the Atlanta Falcons possibly marking his lowest point of the season.

He allowed two touchdowns while in coverage, including a back-shoulder fade to Drake London in the red zone and a 36-yard pass to Darnell Mooney where he appeared to be significantly out of position.

Diggs’ first season back from injury has raised concerns, though it’s not uncommon for players to face challenges regaining their previous form following an ACL tear.

Tyler Guyton, LT

Tyler Guyton has become a regular mention for all the wrong reasons this season. Despite hopes for his development, he has shown little improvement and, in fact, seems to be regressing as the season progresses.

At left tackle, Guyton has been a liability, frequently allowing defenders easy access to the quarterback. Even when he’s not giving up pressures, he’s stalling drives with an array of penalties, including repeated false starts and holding calls.

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Rico Dowdle, RB

While Rico Dowdle hasn’t been the game-changing solution the Cowboys offense needs, he has consistently exceeded expectations both this week and throughout the season.

On Sunday, Dowdle was arguably the best performer on offense, showing his reliability as a runner and his value as a passing threat.

Re-signing him should be a priority for the Cowboys, as he’s proven to be a versatile and dependable contributor. Still, the Cowboys’ top objective in the draft should remain focused on selecting Ashton Jeanty.

Carl Lawson, DE

Elevated from the Cowboys practice squad, Carl Lawson is quickly re-establishing himself as a highly capable pass-rusher.

On Sunday, Lawson was a standout, registering two sacks and generating the only semi-consistent pressure on the defense outside of a few blitzes.

His recent performances suggest he deserves another shot in the NFL, and he could be an excellent rotational piece for the Cowboys once the rest of their edge rushers return to full health.

Brandon Aubrey, K

Just as Tyler Guyton has been a regular on the list of fallers, Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has been a consistent bright spot. Aubrey went 2-for-2 on field goals and converted his only extra point attempt, continuing his perfect season.

He’s been the most reliable player for the Cowboys in 2024 and deserves consideration to become one of the league’s highest-paid kickers in the offseason.

Ironically, his success could mean his days in Dallas are numbered, as he may attract significant interest from other teams looking for a steady presence at kicker.

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Early voters rejected efforts to increase the pay for Dallas’ leaders but mostly approved of 13 other propositions backed by the City Council, according to unofficial preliminary election results.

Just 42% of early voters supported Proposition C. It would increase the mayor’s salary to $90,000 and the council members’ pay to $110,000.

There are 18 propositions on the Nov. 5 election ballot for Dallas voters. Four of them, Propositions R, S, T and U, were successfully petitioned onto the ballot through signature-gathering drives led by two nonprofit groups. Proposition A is a city code amendment the City Council sent to voters. The other 13 propositions were the result of a yearlong process to update the city’s charter. They include raising salaries, banning term-limited former council members from being eligible to be elected again and adding a preamble at the beginning of the charter.

Dallas’ charter is typically updated once every 10 years. It determines the powers of city government and how it operates and is structured.

The 15-member Dallas City Council was not in alignment on recommendations for how voters should weigh in on the entire slate of 18 propositions and there are no organized support or opposition groups for propositions A – Q.

Mayor Eric Johnson and council member Cara Mendelsohn told voters to reject all 18 propositions saying they felt too many of the proposals were “unwise, unnecessary and underdeveloped.” Johnson, Mendelsohn and the rest of the City Council urged voters not to support Propositions S, T and U, which would set new mandates for police spending and the city manager’s job status and bonuses, as well as make it easier for residents to sue the city.

Council members Adam Bazaldua, Zarin Gracey, Jaime Resendez and Chad West have publicly supported decriminalizing low levels of marijuana in Dallas, citing such arrests disproportionately affecting Black and Latino communities and concern it diverts police attention away from more serious crimes. Proposition R would ban Dallas police from arresting people on suspicion of carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.

West, on his X account last month, said he voted for Propositions A-R and against S, T, and U.

If none of the propositions pass, a new slate of proposals to update the charter could go to voters as soon as May. Otherwise, the soonest voters could consider new charter amendments would be in another two years.

Here’s a summary of the propositions backed by the majority of the City Council:

Proposition A has 68% of the early votes. This proposal makes a series of changes impacting the pension system for civilian employees as well as the board that oversees it. It adds language to the Dallas code that puts term limits for six of the seven pension board members. This amendment would eliminate a cap on the maximum amount the city can contribute, increase the contribution percentage for some members, and add language allowing the City Council to approve giving lump-sum payments to the pension fund.

Proposition B has 71% of the early votes. This proposal adds a preamble to the beginning of the city charter, which is essentially a mission statement saying Dallas is an equitable democracy, comprised of representatives that act to make the city fair, equitable, just, and safe for all residents.

Proposition C has 42% of the early votes. This proposal would raise the annual salary of Dallas’ mayor from $80,000 to $110,000 and the pay of the 14 district council members from $60,000 to $90,000. The change would go into effect starting in January. It would also allow yearly adjustments to the salaries equal to the year-over-year percentage increase in the local consumer price index.

Proposition D has 65% of the early votes. This proposal would remove references in the charter requiring City Council elections to be held in May and allow the City Council to set the election date via a resolution or ordinance. State legislators must separately also approve allowing Dallas to move council elections from May.

Proposition E has 69% of the early votes. This proposal would eliminate the ability of prior mayors or council members coming back to run for City Council after previously being elected and serving the maximum number of terms.

Proposition F has 67% of the early votes. This proposal clarifies that the city secretary and city auditor can hire and fire all employees in their offices. The charter currently just lists assistants.

Proposition G has 70% of the early votes. This would add language to the charter to restrict who can be appointed by a City Council member to the redistricting committee. The new criteria would disqualify relatives of council members, registered city lobbyists, people who have contractual obligations with the city, and others with ties to the city or elected officials.

Proposition H has 51% of the early votes. This proposal eliminates the requirement that members of the Redistricting Commission, City Plan Commission, Civil Service Board, and Park and Recreation Board be registered to vote, qualified voters, or qualified taxpaying citizens. Removing this requirement would put the eligibility of members who serve on these four groups in line with the rest of Dallas’ around 50 volunteer citizen boards and commissions.

Proposition I has 53% of the early votes. This proposal would increase the time people have to collect valid voters’ signatures on petitions to create a ballot proposition for a new Dallas ordinance in the city code or to change an existing one. The deadline extends from 60 days to 120. This proposition would also lower the number of valid voters’ signatures necessary on petitions. The minimum requirement drops from 10% of Dallas-qualified voters to 5%. The current 10% requirement equals around 70,000 signatures.

Proposition J has 61% of the early votes. This proposal would allow the City Council to replace appointed members of boards and commissions at any time before the end of that board or commission member’s two-year term via a majority council vote.

Proposition L has 69% of the early votes. This change would create a new chapter in the charter, moving the Inspector General division out of the city attorney’s office and establishing it as its own office. The Inspector General would report directly to the City Council rather than the city attorney.

Proposition O has 79% of the early votes. This proposal would update the charter to clarify the current position of Dallas associate municipal court judges and state that their qualifications are the same as municipal judges.

Proposition P has 53% of the early votes. This proposal would eliminate a charter requirement for a city employee who appeals their demotion or termination to an administrative law judge to pay half the costs for having that official conduct an appeal hearing.

Proposition Q has 71% of the early votes. This proposal approves a series of changes for Dallas’ charter to conform to state law and city code, correct and clarify language and match actual city practices.