On Thursday, January 16, 2025, ABC13 reported that Texas District Court Judge Natalia Cornelio was recused from the death row appeal of Ronald Lee Haskell. This followed a motion filed by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office alleging bias. The recusal was granted by Judge Susan Brown on Wednesday, January 15th.

Haskell was sentenced to death in 2019 for the capital murders of six members of the Stay family in Spring, Texas, in 2014. The victims included four children aged four to thirteen, and their parents, Katie and Stephen Stay. The only survivor was fifteen-year-old Cassidy Stay, Katie’s daughter. The crime was described as a massacre, stemming from Haskell’s stalking of his ex-wife, Katie Stay’s sister.

The District Attorney’s office initiated the recusal motion on October 7, 2024, citing Judge Cornelio’s actions as demonstrating a lack of neutrality and impartiality. Their concern stemmed from an incident last summer where Judge Cornelio ordered Haskell’s return to Harris County under what the DA’s office deemed unusual circumstances. Specifically, a bench warrant was issued on June 27th, requiring Haskell’s presence in court at midnight a month later.

The DA’s office stated they were unaware of Haskell’s transfer from Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) custody. During his nearly three-week stay at the Harris County Jail, Haskell made a jail call to his mother, referring to his situation as “cloak and dagger,” indicating awareness of the secretive nature of his transfer. Furthermore, body camera footage shows Haskell being transported to a private imaging clinic near the Texas Medical Center for a scan. This raised concerns about security and the potential for undue influence.

Katie Stay’s brother, Drue Lyon, questioned the security protocols surrounding Haskell’s visit to the clinic, highlighting the proximity of the death row inmate to other individuals. The defense argued insufficient evidence existed to prove Judge Cornelio’s inability to remain impartial, but Judge Brown ultimately ruled in favor of the state’s motion. Joshua Reiss from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office stated that the victims would not have received a fair trial under Judge Cornelio’s continued involvement.

 

 

Source: ABC13