ELLIS COUNTY – The trial for local attorney Michael Halla from Lancaster began in Ellis County Court last Monday, and was over Friday afternoon.
Halla was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety and charged with two counts of manslaughter, a 2nd Degree Felony in January 2023.
This past Friday after his trial, court papers indicated Halla was officially charged with criminally negligent homicide, a 3rd Degree Felony.
He was tried in Ellis County Judge Cindy Ermatinger’s 443rd Court, with Senior Justice David Evans sitting by assignment during the trial.
Halla received 10 years community supervision (probation). His fine of $5000 was suspended by the jury, and he will be required to take a driver’s safety course.
The incident took place in November 2021 when Halla, driving a 2020 Ford Explorer, hit and killed 36-year-old Edward Beltran and his 5-year-old son, Ethan, as they were crossing FM 664 in Ferris near their home.
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