By Claire Crouch
Media & Community Relations Manager in Dallas County
One step into the courtroom, and it was clear—they weren’t in Dallas anymore. The McLennan County Courthouse, complete with a dedicated rack for cowboy hats, is a far cry from the twinkling skyline of DFW.
“Even though it was 90 miles away, I immediately said yes,” recalls Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot, reflecting on the decision to take on one of the most high-profile murder cases in the McLennan County community in decades as a special prosecutor. The pressure of handling such a case as outsiders brought an added layer of anxiety. “We definitely had concerns. Going from a community of 2.6 million to 260,000, we worried they would think, ‘Here come the slick guys from Dallas.’”
Seven years prior, in 2017, McLennan County was shaken by a brutal crime. Thirty-two-year-old Christopher Weiss shot and killed Valarie Martinez and their 13-month-old daughter Azariah. The gravity of this crime reverberated throughout the community and law enforcement circles. The original judge in the case went to work for the DA’s Office, as did the defendant’s divorce lawyer. That meant that in January 2023, the office was recused, and by April, the case still had no prosecutor assigned. That is, until the Dallas County office got the call.
Dallas County prosecutor Scott Wells was assigned the case as a special prosecutor in May 2023, and his first instinct was to earn the trust of the local community. “I wanted to show them we weren’t just passing through, that we understood the importance of getting this right for their community,” he says.
This commitment set off a routine for Scott, which involved a two-hour drive from Dallas to Waco. “Right away, I made the trip to meet with the lead detective, the DA’s Office, and the sheriff’s office,” he explains. “I reviewed all the discovery and began to get a handle on where we stood.”
In the beginning, Scott continued to visit the City of Waco to meet law enforcement officers and witnesses and view the crime scene. It soon became clear any anxieties of not being welcomed by the McLennan County community were unnecessary. “They welcomed us with open arms,” Scott remembers. “The DA’s Office gave us office space when we needed it, shared contacts, and provided printers or supplies we didn’t have. Ms. Marcia Herring was especially helpful.”
From May 2023 through February 2024, Judge Thomas West conducted several pre-trial hearings via Zoom—a welcome adjustment that eased the logistical burden on the Dallas team. Despite managing a substantial workload back in Dallas, Scott prioritized the McLennan County case, weaving it seamlessly into his schedule.
As the trial date approached, the full team relocated to McLennan County: Lead Prosecutor Scott Wells, ACDA Priscilla Pelli, Investigator Anthony Winn, Paralegal Maria Cantrell, and most notably, Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot. “Going down there with them was important to me,” Mr. Creuzot emphasizes. “It showed the office and the community that this case was a priority—it wasn’t just two lawyers, it was the elected DA.”
For Creuzot, the case was personal—not only because of the gravity of the crime but also to demonstrate the importance of assisting one another when called upon. “We can and should help each other prosecute these cases,” he explains.
The Sunday before the trial, the team settled into the Springhill Suites in Waco where they stayed for seven days. What initially seemed like a disadvantage—not being able to return home to their own beds—soon became a welcome escape. The tranquil hotel environment allowed the team to focus entirely on the task at hand, free from distractions. “When going to a smaller city, some may immediately think of the movie My Cousin Vinny and trying to sleep in an old motel as a train barrels through town,” Scott says. “This team, however, had a very different experience in the beautiful city of Waco.”
This immersion in the local atmosphere continued to prove beneficial helping them get a taste of the local flavor in more ways than one. “There were wonderful places to eat,” Creuzot notes. “We always took a nice lunch break, which also allowed us to see people in the community.”
Assistant prosecutor Priscilla Pelli adds, “That hotel became our home for the week—from the moment we walked in, the hospitality staff were nothing but accommodating. They told us about a few local characters around town but most importantly, great local spots to grab a bite. Waco folks are truly the friendliest around!”
Inside the courtroom, adjustments were necessary. The Frank Crowley Courts Building in Dallas, built in the 1980s, is starkly different from the century-old courthouse in McLennan County. “This was a totally different environment for me,” Mr. Creuzot says. “Most of the cases I’ve tried have been in Dallas County, where the courtrooms are bigger. In McLennan County, I felt a little pinned in and definitely had to make some mental adjustments.”
Judge West gave a brief statement during jury selection about why the Dallas team was brought in, and beyond that, it was business as usual.
Long-lasting impression
The team’s hard work culminated in a swift guilty verdict for capital murder, resulting in a life sentence without the possibility of parole. No doubt serving as special prosecutors in McLennan County left an indelible mark on the Dallas team.
“This will likely be the case I remember most in my career,” Scott says. “I commend DA Creuzot for taking this case. He went down there, tried it himself, and put his reputation on the line for a family who waited seven years for justice. He set the standard for other counties to follow. It’s more than just paperwork; it’s about people’s lives, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.”
Reflecting on the experience, Scott and Priscilla emphasized the importance of early collaboration with the local DA’s office and detectives. Meeting with them early on, reviewing their files, and understanding their perspective on the case proved crucial in setting up the Dallas team for success.
“My advice to any prosecutor stepping into a case like this is to review it immediately and thoroughly,” they say. “Trying a case is like cooking Thanksgiving dinner—everyone has their own way of preparing a great meal,” Scott adds. “Similarly, everyone has their own approach to building a strong case, but those opinions can vary greatly. It’s vital for a prosecutor to ensure everything meets their standards.”
The McLennan County staff also set an example for how local offices can support special prosecutors. “Their office was a great host from the start,” Priscilla says. “From local law enforcement to the court staff, these were people we didn’t know, but they did everything they could to support us. We showed them we were really invested, and that made them more open with us. Their actions showed how much they appreciated our willingness to take on the case.”
Scott adds, “We worked extremely hard to prepare the case for trial and listened carefully to the advice of those who regularly practice in Waco. By doing so, we avoided missteps that could have irritated the Court or its staff and quickly connected with the jurors who would ultimately decide the case.”
The lessons learned from the McLennan County experience serve as a blueprint for future special prosecutor situations. Approaching each case with diligence, humility, and a willingness to adapt to unique challenges is essential. By collaborating across jurisdictions and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, we can ensure that justice is accessible to all.